UCLA Football Spring Practice Preview 2018: Tight Ends

If you remember Chip’s time at Oregon you might remember names like David Paulson, Brian Teague and Colt Lyerla. Lyerla was the most athletic of the three but Paulson was a reliable pass catcher and found a way to get it done in the blocking department. A key to seeing the field.

All of the TEs under Kelly need to be able to block effectively as well as run crisp routes with the end goal being able to avoid substituting as much as possible. You can keep your opponent off guard if they can’t pinpoint certain personnel packages.

While most of the UCLA Football TEs on the roster have the ability to challenge the intermediate parts of the field in the passing game, Kelly will also use them vertically to strain defenses.

With all of that said, let’s take a look at the TE group as it shapes up for the Spring.

Here are all of the TE’s that should be receiving the majority of reps during Spring practices.

• Caleb Wilson, R-Jr. 6’4, 235 pounds.
• Jordan Wilson, R-So. 6’4, 250 pounds.
• Moses Robinson-Carr, So. 6’5, 260 pounds.
• Jimmy Jaggers, R-Fr. 6’4, 255 pounds.
• Devin Asiasi, R-So. 6’3, 275 pounds.

The UCLA Football team has quite the collection of TEs led by stud Caleb Wilson who missed the last eight games of the season recovering from a broken foot but before that he was showing why he’ll open 2018 as one of the best TEs in the country. He’s going to be an exciting fit for this offense with his ability to flex out wide or be used inline. Should that foot be fully healed, he’s a dangerous mismatch for defenses to contend with. He’s not an overwhelming blocker but is effective. Much like former Indianapolis Colts TE Dallas Clark, Wilson’s value on offense is in his ability to make a high volume of catches.

Jordan Wilson, no relation to Caleb, was forced to step up when the starting TE went down with his foot injury. He finished the year strong and is an ascending young player for the Bruins. He will drop the occasional pass but the formation flexibility he provides is invaluable. He has some solid build up speed and can attack the seam of a defense. As a blocker he improved over the season but still leaves a little to be desired. Keeping his hands inside of a defender will allow him greater control and a greater chance of success.