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UCLA Football: Projecting the starting lineup for 2018

Mike Regalado
Mike Regalado

Go Joe Bruin

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 21: The UCLA Bruins head off the field before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl on October 21, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 24: JJ Molson
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 24: JJ Molson

Go Joe Bruin takes a look at possible starting lineups on special teams, defense and offense for the UCLA Football team in 2018.

With the end of the college football season comes the offseason and in the offseason many teams make several big changes. For the UCLA football team, they made the biggest change a month ago when they fired Jim Mora and replaced him with Chip Kelly.

RELATED: Is the Pac-12 South UCLA’s for the taking?

Since then, Kelly has slowly been assembling his new squad (coaches and players) while interim head coach Jedd Fisch handled the final duties to wrap up the season, specifically with the Cactus Bowl.

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Well the Cactus Bowl is over, UCLA lost and we can now move into the Chip Kelly era with a fresh new slate.

So what can we expect from the UCLA football team in 2018?

We already know what most of his coaching staff will look like, but what about his roster, specifically the starting line up?

In the last week we have heard from a number of players on whether they are entering the NFL Draft or returning. So far, QB Josh Rosen, WR Jordan Lasley, OT Kolton Miller and TE Austin Roberts have all declared for the draft. The starters that are graduating include C Scott Quessenberry, WR Darren Andrews, DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, LB Kenny Young and S Jaleel Wadood.

That is a lot of players to account for, luckily the Bruins in the Mora era recruited well and next year we will see a lot of young talent emerge, especially in the starting lineup.

So let us take a look at the opinion-based projections from the writers of Go Joe Bruin…

Special Teams

Special teams, overall, underwhelmed last season. Certain players did very well in their individual efforts, but for the most part, there was a lot left to be desired.

That should change next year with Roy Manning taking over. Last season he coached the same positions at Washington State and did a decent job. So hopefully we see marked improvements in this part of UCLA’s game, but who are the starters at the key positions?

Special Teams Projected Starters

Molson had a tough freshman year, but became more consistent last season. He was 17/21 (81%, 3rd in the Pac-12) and displayed more confidence as they season went on. His consistency was key and should make him one of the better kickers in the conference in 2018.

Speaking of best in the conference, here at Go Joe Bruin, we have not been this excited for a special teams than we are for Flintoft. Starting last season as a walk-on, Flintoft took over the position from Austin Kent and we quickly saw why. Flintoft was quite reliable with his punts averaged 42.9 yards per punt, 5th in the Pac-12) and was able to land several inside the 20 and giving the defense room to breathe.

Speaking of consistent, Flintoft would not have been able to make those punts if it wasn’t for the consistent long snapping of Den Bleyker who should retain his spot in 2018.

As for returns, I expect there to be an open competition, but can also see Holmes and Pickett to once again be the frontrunners. As a team, UCLA was 10th in kickoff returns and 11th in punt returns in the Pac-12, so regardless of who is returning, major improvements have to be made.

PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: N’Keal Harry
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: N’Keal Harry

Defense

Once again, the defense loses a lot of talent, but one thing Mora did well was recruit, so there is a lot of skilled players available for the Bruins to utilize. The problem here is depth.

Kelly and new defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro favor the 3-4 defense. That is good for the defensive line, but not so much for the linebackers who are very thin.

Projected Defensive Starters

(multiple players at the same position indicate possible position battles)

The line will have a new look, but will not lack experience. Wade, Tagaloa and Odighizuwa all played meaningful minutes last year which will help their transition in 2018. Though Tagaloa has the edge, Nnoruka could make improvements and challenge for a starting spot, if not the first player in the rotation.

The interesting thing to watch is how Phillips will be used in this defense. As the team’s best passer rusher last season, he maintain that role, though slightly tweaked into more of a hybrid spot, possibly playing off the line.

The lack of the depth at linbacker will have the new coaches shuffling a lot of players. We might also see a few switch positions before next season. For now, we can expect Holiday to step up a take one of the outside spots. Woods and Toailoa played a lot in 2017, so their experience should give them the advantage to start. I also expect Barnes to battle for one of the starting inside positions.

***UPDATE (1/15)*** Nate Meadors has stated that he is returning to UCLA in 2018, giving him the starting CB spot.

The secondary should be the most consistent, especially if Nate Meadors returns. The DBs have been the strength of the last few seasons and that should continue in 2018. If Meadors is gone, Samuel should be a top candidate for one CB spot with the explosive Holmes at the other.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Theo Howard
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Theo Howard

Offense

The offense also loses a lot of talent and the transitions back to an uptempo offense will be something to watch for, specifically how fast the players can adapt to the new style. The Bruins are going to rely on a lot of youth, luckily both Mora and Kelly have brought in some talented individuals.

Unfortuanetly, it going to take some time to replace key figures like Rosen, Lasley, Andrews, Roberts, Quessenberry and Miller.

Projected Offensive Starters

(multiple players at the same position indicate possible position battles)

Related Story: Are the Bruins destined for a National Championship under Chip Kelly?

***UPDATE (1/15)*** Since this publication, UCLA has added another QB to the roster as former Washington backup K.J. will transfer in as a graduate, making him readily available to play next fall. This will make the QB competition very interesting next season.

One of the biggest storylines of the offseason will be the quarterback competition and who will lead Kelly’s offense. Modster? DTR? Does Matt Lynch have a shot?

As for running backs, it really doesn’t matter who starts, both Jamabo and Olorunfunmi should do well in Kelly’s offense, not to mention the Bruins are loaded with other talented backs. As the most consistent position group and the basis for Kelly’s offense, every RB should make major improvements heading into next season.

The offensive line is going to give the coaching staff the most trouble as they not only lose three starters (including Najee Toran), we have to factor in that the Bruins were incredibly thin on the line before their departures. The Bruins should have consistency on the left with James and Alves, but the right side seems up in the air.

Tight end is a no brainer, Caleb Wilson, if and when he is fully recovered, will reclaim this spot, but also look for other talented TEs to make an appearnace like Devin Asiasi, Jordan Wilson and Jimmy Jaggers.

Next: The Top 10 UCLA Basketball Recruiting Classes Since 2000

You wanted Howard, Bruin fans? You got him! Look for Howard to be the top target in the passing game. And since the next most experienced receiver is walk-on Pabico (I think he earned that scholarship, don’t you?), look for a wide open competition at the other two (or three) receiver spots. Don’t be surprised to hear a lot of young bloods being mentioned in spring and fall, including Cota, Omotosho, Damian Alloway.and Kyle Phillips.

Mike Regalado

Mike Regalado

Editor of GoJoeBruin.com. Lover of animals, collector of vinyl and fan of UCLA Bruins and L.A. Kings. FWAA member.