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UCLA Football: Potential offensive two-deep depth chart for 2019

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 26: Chip Kelly the head coach of UCLA Bruins stands on the sideline while playing the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 26: Chip Kelly the head coach of UCLA Bruins stands on the sideline while playing the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 26: Chip Kelly the head coach of UCLA Bruins stands on the sideline while playing the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 26: Chip Kelly the head coach of UCLA Bruins stands on the sideline while playing the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

With the UCLA football team heading into the offseason to prepare for 2019, Go Joe Bruin looks at who some of the top offensive contributors might be in a way-too-early two-deep depth chart.

Going 3-9 is not ideal, but there is a lot the UCLA football team improved on as the 2018 season progressed, particularly among their personnel.

RELATED: Where Does UCLA’s Offense Go From Here?

With that in mind, I take a look at what possible lineups we could see next season with the Bruins returning the majority of their offensive players. Many of them young, but will alos enter 2019 with some experience.

Offensive Line

  • LT: Andre James, Alec Anderson
  • LG: Michael Alves, Josh Wariboko-Alali
  • C: Boss Tagaloa, Chris Murray
  • RG: Chris Murray, Baraka Beckett
  • RT: Jake Burton, Justin Murphy/Jon Gaines

There really isn’t much to get excited about whenever someone talks about offensive lines (at least compared to discussions on the glamour positions), but for those UCLA football fans that understand what it is like to have underachieving O-lines the last several seasons, it was very exciting to see what was going on with the Bruins’ offensive front this past season. Not only did the line get better as the season went on, but we should expect that they continue to improve into 2019.

UCLA’s First Four Games: Points – 17.0 | Total Yards – 311.3 | 3rd Down Conv. – 30.4%

UCLA’s Last Four Games: Points – 31.3 | Total Yards – 485.5 | 3rd Down Conv. – 40.4%

Another big boost the Bruins will get is that they return the majority of their line. Translation: experience.

The only player that might depart is Justin Murphy, who is applying for another year of eligibility. If he does not get it, we might see freshman Jon Gaines get a shot as a backup tackle but could also help at the guard position. The Bruins will also get some depth at guard in the next recruiting class with Beau Taylor and Duke Clemens committing to Kelly, so there will be a few more bodies helping out next year.

The center spot looks good for a few seasons. Not only did Boss Tagaloa excel at the center spot, but after he leaves, the Bruins have Chris Murray to lean on. Still, Murray’s talent will not be wasted and will help out at guard next to Tagaloa. On the left side, Andre James and Michael Alves should only get better. James will be the senior leader and his experience will be needed to help the line take that next step.