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UCLA Football: What we learned from the first part of Spring Practice

By Michael Chavez

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: A general view during the Introduction of Chip Kelly Press Conference on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. Kelly was just announced as the new UCLA head football coach. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: A general view during the Introduction of Chip Kelly Press Conference on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. Kelly was just announced as the new UCLA head football coach. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Caleb Wilson
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Caleb Wilson /

Injury Report

The following players have been limited in practice (indicated by their yellow jerseys) or have not practiced at all:

  • OL Michael Alves (back)
  • DL/LB Jaelan Phillips (wrist)
  • CB Keyon Riley (shoulder)
  • DL Greg Rogers (shoulder)
  • CB Colin Samuel (shoulder)
  • LB Lokeni Toailoa (hamstring)
  • OL Jax Wacaser (Unknown)
  • TE Caleb Wilson (foot)
  • LB Josh Woods (shoulder)

New Players Joining the Roster

During the first part of practice, only one new player has joined the team, WR Kyle Phillips and he has looked good for his first time with a college team and is progressing nicely.

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After the spring practice break, he will be joined by fellow receiver, Chase Cota who was a huge pick up for Kelly during this last recruiting cycle. Cota is said to be one of the most college ready receivers coming to Westwood and should fit in nicely in Kelly’s system. With that being said, it is possible we see a lot of him in the fall and possibly land a starting spot.

The other players heading to Westwood are all transfers and you know what that means other than depth? Experience.

The LBs thicken up with junior college transfers Je’Vari Anderson and Tyree Thompson coming in, but the biggest addition to the “spring” portion of practice will kick up another position battle up a notch.

QB Devon Modster has been impressive (though there is still work to be done), but he will have do even better as Washington graduate transfer K.J. Carta-Samuels will finally be on campus. Though he is not the prototypical Kelly QB, he brings experience and skill (he worked behind Jake Browning and received instruction from Chris Petersen) that will require every QB on the roster to up their game.

Next: The Top 30 UCLA Football Players of All-Time

Spring Game

The second half of spring practice is yet to be scheduled, though April 3 seems to be the return date. Go Joe Bruin will bring you that information as it becomes available.

As for the Spring Game, it is scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. at Drake Stadium on the campus of UCLA.