UCLA Football: 6 players that could play a 2nd position in Kelly’s offense

UCLA football head coach Chip Kelly is known as an innovator and could use new ideas to stay a step of ahead of his opponents, that might include using a few players outside of their normal positions.

I think we are going to see a little trickery. I think we will see a little deception. I think we will a few things that we have not seen before with UCLA football or anyone for that matter.

With Chip Kelly given another chance to mold a football program to his liking, we will see the next evolution of his offense. It was fast at Oregon, it was bold at Philadelphia, so what is going to be like at UCLA. Fast and bold?

That is yet to be seen, but I have a hunch that he is going to try to deceive opponents anyway he can. That goes with playing a few Bruins outside of their normal positions. Here is a list of players that could occasionally play a different roll on the offense (though we don’t expect them to stay there).

TE Caleb Wilson ➡ QB

As a defensive coordinator, how would you respond if you saw the best tight end in the nation under center and ready to take a snap? It could happen. Before Wilson solidified himself as a top-tier tight end, he actually played some quarterback. He has a decent arm, so if a play called for it, why not use Wilson in a throwing situation?

WR Demetric Felton ➡ RB

Felton should be a lot better in the receiving game than he was last year (he had -2 yards on 2 receptions for the season), but he proved to be a weapon at another position under former OC Jedd Fisch. With the run game struggling, he was brought in to help move the ball on the ground and he did a great job with it. With 10 carries, Felton had 78 yards and a long of 25. It wasn’t just that he was able to get yards, it was that he looked like an experienced RB. Not only did he have the moves to avoid the defense, but he had the vision to find the holes and get him downfield. Kelly is probably aware of this and could use him as a second back or a WR on a jet sweep. I would.

RB Bolu Olorunfunmi ➡ WR

Olorunfunmi will be a featured back this season, but he can also lend a hand in the receiving game. I can imagine him breaking off from a two-back set to a slot position and catch a few balls, mostly because he did that a few times last season. The senior RB was 9th on the team in receiving yards with 118 (on 10 receptions).

WR Dymond Lee ➡ QB

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We will most likely see more than one quarterback take the field during a game this season which will make it hard for opponents to plan around, but what if you add another potential QB into the mix. Lee was recruited as a receiver to UCLA but has worked out with the QBs during his time in Westwood. He even played QB in high school, so if you see him in a wildcat, don’t put it past Kelly to have Lee sling the ball around instead of taking it and running.

RB Soso Jamabo ➡ WR

We will not see Jamabo in the first few games, but once he gets back on the field, he can easily slip into a receiver role. Not only does he have the frame of a WR, but he has the hands. Last season he was able to catch the ball 17 times for 204 yards. Another potential weapon for the offense.

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson ➡ WR

I know the people want to see the DTR era at UCLA begin sooner than later, but he is still young and has a lot of time to become a legend, but for now, he will be needed where he is needed. That could also be at the receiver spot. Can you imagine what would go through a coach’s head if he saw two quarterbacks on the field at the same time? It’s chaos! Or is it? Messing with opponents mind is something Kelly wants to do and keeping them guessing on every play will do just that.

Of course, I do not expect this to happen on every snap, but I do expect it to happen. With this much talent on the team, it would be a shame to not use all of this available talents.