Athlon has just released their Pac-12 Football 2018 All-Conference Team and eight UCLA football players have made it for ten different positions on offense, defense and special teams.
Whoever said the UCLA football cupboard is bare is clearly not looking close enough. Sure the Bruins have issues with certain position groups but that doesn’t mean the rest of the team is void of talent.
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Athlon has just released their Pac-12 Football 2018 All-Conference Team and backed up what we have been saying here at Go Joe Bruin… there is a lot of talent on the blue and gold roster.
The sports publication gave recognition to several players across the Conference of Champions as they went four teams deep with their all-conference picks on offense, defense and special teams. Some Bruins listed are a surprise while other are a given, but there are also a few that Athlon missed out on, which we will briefly go over.
Athlon’s UCLA Football All-Conference Offensive Selections
- TE Caleb Wilson – 2nd Team
- OT Andre James – 3rd Team
- RB Soso Jamabo – 4th Team
Wilson is one of the more explosive players UCLA had last season and the fact that he made such an impact in only five games (a foot injury kept him out of the second half of the season), says a lot about what is expected of him, especially to be on a list such as this.
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James showed massive improvement last season and will be called upon to help lead this O-line in transition as he takes over for 1st Round NFL Draft selection Kolton Miller.
Because of similar talent (and stats), we could easily see RB Bolu Olorunfunmi as an all-conference candidate, especially since several Bruin outlets are projecting him to start over Jamabo. Still, two experienced backs are better than one and Jamabo should finally be able to thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense.
And since we are looking at other potential stars in the Pac-12, be on the lookout for WR Theo Howard. His speed and hands are going to be a killer combo for Kelly and could get him a post-season All-Pac-12 Team nomination.
Athlon’s UCLA Football All-Conference Defensive Selections
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- DE/LB Jaelan Phillips – 3rd Team
- CB Nate Meadors – 3rd Team
- S Adarius Pickett – 3rd Team
- CB Darnay Holmes – 4th Team
Phillips is another Bruin that played sparingly due to injury, but what he did on the field in the time he was healthy has made him quite the standout. He will continue in the pass rusher role, but has morphed to a DE/LB hybrid role which could have him flourish, especially with new DC Jerry Azzinaro’s aggressive style of defense.
We have also been saying that the Bruins’ secondary is going to be the strength of the defense and here is more proof as Meadors, Pickett and Holmes have all been recognized by Athlon. One the strengths of the Jim Mora era was the construction of the DBs and Azzinaro gets to use that talent and experience for one more season (at least with Meadors and Pickett).
One player I would have liked to see make this list is Keisean Lucier-South. Though he did not exactly standout last season, he played a larger role as he had to fill in the gaps for a defense that was not ver good. KLS was the glue that helped keep the defense together in many contests last season, especially after a rash of injuries. Still, he will be able to prove himself this fall.
Athlon’s UCLA Football All-Conference Special Teams Selections
- K J.J. Molson – 4th Team
- KR Darnay Holmes – 4th Team
- PR Darnay Holmes – 4th Team
Molson has a strong foot, he just needed consistency, which is what he brought last season. His overall improvements will make him one of the biggest kicking threats in the conference next season and I would not be surprised to see him finish as the top K in the Pac-12.
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And then we go back to Holmes who has not only claimed a defensive all-conference selection, but has been recognized for his skills as a returner. That is eight players for ten positions, which by the way gives UCLA the fifth most players named to the Athlon All-Conference teams. Not bad for a bare cupboard.