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UCLA Football Spring Practice: Day 1 – The Chip Kelly era has begun

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Bolu Olorunfunmi
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Bolu Olorunfunmi /

Spring Practice Begins (cont.)

The remainder of practice was a mix of 11 vs. 11 and position drills. It was slightly different from the Jim Mora practices. Not only was it quicker, but coaches coached when needed and from the sideline. Apparently that is a big deal with Kelly, having his coaches teach from the side rather than getting in the way and slowing things down on the field and it showed. When one group was done, they had to run off the field as the next group was already set up 40-yards behind them and ready to start their sets.

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A few notable changes were confirmed. Former DL Boss Tagaloa was taking snaps at center. Moses Robinson-Carr has now moved from TE to OL. Darnay Holmes and Stephen Johnson III were “returning” punts. DB Keyon Riley (who was running with the 1s) was in a yellow jersey, as was DE Jaelan Phillips.

There were also a lot of number changes, which made it hard to see who was actually on the field, especially on the offensive line. UCLA did not release a spring roster and have not updated their roster on UCLABruins.com. Updates on that will be reported when released.

Right now it seems as if Kelly wants to put everyone on display. Before practice in his press conference (yes, a pre-practice press conference), Kelly said he has not looked at any game film from last season and has no idea how the players were coached. That was apparent with a lot of players taking a lot of reps and a few walk-ons getting into the mix. One example of this was 5-8 QB Nick Juels who had on one of five red jerseys and was constantly in QB drills. He was noticeably smaller than than the other QBs, but he was getting things done.

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This, in and of itself, shows us that Chip Kelly is going to evaluate every player, every play and every formation to best figure what he needs to do in the fall. Though we are 179 days from kickoff, it was good to see the first steps of the new UCLA football team. Go Bruins!