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

With UCLA football’s upcoming spring game and closing practice to the public this week, we look at the developments from the second part of spring practice.

If you haven’t seen the UCLA football team practice, you are now out of luck as the final two practices on Tuesday and Thursday will be closed as the Bruins prep for the Spring Game this Saturday.

RELATED: WR Christian Pabico has more than earned a chance at a scholarship

So with that in mind, let us recap what has happened the last two weeks of practice…

UCLA Football’s Offense

After the first two weeks of winter quarter, we saw the offense take an evolutionary step. We saw UCLA start to implement elements of the triple-option, something many UCLA fans assumed was going to make its way into the playbook. It is a slow going process but one that could be the foundation of the run-based spread offense that Chip Kelly should implement.

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Both quarterbacks Devon Modster and Matt Lynch continue to make progress, but also have been battling it out with sophomore Austin Burton. Burton has been getting a lot of reps, but still seems to be the third option to run the offense.

Modster is still running with the ones as Lynch needed a little bit of time to get back up to speed since spring break. Last few days of practice, both have showed progress with running the offense, especially directing the option, but they also showed that they have a long way to go as UCLA’s defense continues to improve as well.

Last Saturday, during 7-on7s, the defense prevented the offense from scoring on three out of six drives with two defensive stops via pick six. I will get back to the rest of the defense in the moment.

The running backs continue to show progress but there’s a surprise as transfer walk-on Josh Kelly has been getting a lot of reps in with the 1s. He has been just as popular of a choice as Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi, both of which are going to be seniors heading into the fall. Still, the veteran RBs are not backing down as they have each had impressive moments throughout spring.

As for receivers, Theo Howard continues to be the standout receiver and is pretty much catching everything that is thrown his way, even with one hand. Christian Pabico looks to be a favorite as the second or third option at receiver. Pabico continues to show consistency and has been impressive with the receivers.

Another name to look out for is Demetric Felton who has slowly been rising as another go-to receiver. He has shown a lot of consistency getting into space, catching the ball and moving around the defense when the ball is in his possession. If I had to call it now, I think Howard, Pabico and Felton will be the starting WRs this fall.

UCLA Football’s Defense

Now for the defense. We heard DL coach Vince Oghobaase yelling to his players that he wants “more violence” and it looks like he is getting it and not just from his group, but they entire defense.

With the offense working on triple-option elements, the defense has had to adjust to another wrinkle. Defensive Coordinator Jerry Azzinaro had his defense dominating the offense when the offense was going through simple run plays, but they looked to be taken aback when they had to account for the QB and a second running back option being put into the mix.

Though they needed some time to zero in on the ball carrier, they slowly started to limit the yards after contact and were able to get at the ball carrier closer to the line of scrimmage.

The linebackers look like they are playing with more confidence as they have been very active covering run and pass plays. Keisean Lucier-South has been one player that has stood out as he has been aggressive against the offense as an OLB after moving from defensive end. He has used the knowledge of both positions to his advantage and might be the most explosive LB heading into fall.

The secondary has been doing a fine job despite an up-and-down spring. The DBs have been the most talent-laden group the last few seasons but were having to reshuffle players and use walk-ons before spring break. Luckily, the Bruins were able to get back Will Lockett and Octavius Spencer who were thought to have left the program.

As for their on-field performance, the DBs have kept up with the offense’s passing game. Though the run has been deceitful and resulted in more success, the passing game is still trying to find ways to get around this very aggressive secondary. With the evolution in the run game, the DBs are sharpening their skills in helping the run D, but the passing defense still remains one of the biggest weapons as they have been swarming passes and receivers in order to limit their advances.

Last Saturday, as stated above, the defense had stopped the offense on 3 of 6 drives. KLS had a pick six, but so did CB Darnay Holmes, who should be one of the more dangerous defensemen in the secondary. Also remember that the Bruins will restock on DBs this fall as five freshmen will be added to the group.

Special Teams

Not a lot of changes here as K J.J. Molson still looks to be the starting kicker, but Adam Staunch has been slowly improving and has showed that he will be a reliable backup. Punter Stefan Flintoft also looks to keep his starting roll but has also picked up duties as kicking place holder.

Players add to Spring Practice

It was reported that DeChaun Holiday, Octavius Spencer, Will Lockett and Denzel Fisher were all leaving the program, but the Bruins received good news as, previously stated, Spencer and Lockett have opted to stay with the Bruins.

UCLA also added freshman WR Chase Cota to the mix and he has been impressive in the two weeks he has been at practice.

The LB group got some help with much needed depth and knowledge as JUCO transfers Tyree Thompson and Je’Vari Anderson officially joined the team. Though they have a lot to catch up on, it has been apparent that their junior college experience has prepared them and the result is both players being very competitive in practice.

RELATED: Wilton Speight joins UCLA | How Speight can fit with UCLA

A New QB in the Mix

Despite missing out on Washington grad transfer K.J. Carta-Samuels, the Bruins landed Michigan grad transfer Wilton Speight. Though his style might differ from what Chip Kelly is looking for in a QB, Go Joe Bruin detailed how he could fit into the offense.

Injury Report

• TE Jimmy Jaggers (unknown)
• LB Mique Juarez (unknown)
• WR Audie Omotosho (knee)
• WR Kyle Phillips (unknown)
• DB Keyon Riley (shoulder)
• DB Colin Samuel (shoulder)
• TE Caleb Wilson (foot)
• LB Josh Woods (shoulder)

Next: The Top 10 UCLA QBs of All-Time

UCLA’s Spring Game takes place this Saturday at Drake Stadium on the campus of UCLA at 11 a.m. PT and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.