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UCLA Football Recruiting: Five signees that could get early playing time in 2018

By Mike Regalado

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Byron Pringle
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Byron Pringle /
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The UCLA football team was able to haul in a very good class this past National Signing Day which included several talented players that could see a lot of time as true freshmen.

It went through several different looks, but UCLA football’s 2018 recruiting class has finally taken shape and it is full of the of the talent head coach Chip Kelly is looking for.

RELATED: UCLA Football 2018 National Signing Day Recap

Kelly said he wanted long and fast players and he got them. Though he didn’t land the top class in the nation, he got exactly what he wanted with the players that will execute his game plan. So with that, let us take a quick look at five of the most recent signees who could get a lot of playing time next season…

OG Chris Murray – Even before  he signed, we at Go Joe Bruin projected that Chris Murray could land a starting spot on the offensive line. Despite the signing day delay, he is officially a Bruin and should now more than ever be in play for a starting role, if not, significant time as a back up guard. UCLA has a lot of work to do with their offensive line and many a linemen will be looked at to help shape Kelly’s offense, so expect Murray to be in the mix.

RB Kazmeir Allen – I’m not saying he’ll get a starting spot but it would be criminal not to use his speed and skill. With the speed of plays, amount of players and different formations Kelly uses, there should be a few set for Allen. If the Bruins want to get faster, they need to use this player in the ground game early and often.

WR Chase Cota – Cota is one of the more college-ready signees. He has incredible hands and skill that could not only get early playing time, but he could be effective enough to be one of the offense’s top targets (behind Theo Howard and Caleb Wilson, that is). Not only will he help spread the field, but will be quite a nuisance to defenses in coverage from the first day he gets in the game.

LB Bo Calvert – The Bruins need linebackers, even more so with the departure of veteran Kenny Young gone and the use of four linebackers in DC Jerry Azzinaro’s 3-4 scheme (though the outside LB spots could also be used for the rush end, nickel or both). They got exactly that type of player with Calvert who is very physical and a very smart player that could be an asset to the defense early.

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson – We have to be realistic here, DTR will not be with UCLA until the summer, meaning Devon Modster, Matt Lynch or Washington transfer K.J. Carta-Samuels will be leading the offense during spring practice, and quite possibly during fall camp.

Next: UCLA Football: National Signing Day position group report card

But let us continue to be realistic as DTR is an amazing QB that already has the skills to run a Division I football team, especially in a Chip Kelly offense. Though there will be a lot for him to learn and catch up on, once he does grasp the offense, there is no doubt he will get some playing time next season.