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UCLA Football: With Justin Murphy, Bruins return every offensive lineman for 2019

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins lines up at the line during a 26-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins lines up at the line during a 26-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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It was announced on Monday that OL Justin Murphy will return to the UCLA football team in 2019 after the NCAA granted him a sixth season of eligibility.

It has been a very good week for the UCLA football team, especially in regards to their offensive line. Last week, the Bruins received word that 4-star OT Sean Rhyan had committed. Over the weekend, OL coach Justin Frye was promoted to offensive coordinator.

RELATED: What OL Justin Frye’s Promotion to OC Means

Today, the Bruins received word that grad transfer OL Justin Murphy has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and will return to the Bruins next year.

This is very good news for the Bruins as it would have, at this point, each of their starting offensive linemen from 2018 returning in 2019. In addition to the 11 total OLs that played last season, six had experience starting on the line. In addition to Murphy, Andre James, Michael Alves, Boss Tagaloa, Christaphany Murray, and Jake Burton started in 2018.

James, Tagaloa, and Josh Wariboko-Alali are all eligible for the NFL Draft, but at this point, none of them have declared and it seems likely that none of them will.

Murphy has been bitten by the injury bug many times in his collegiate career. He twice had season-ending injuries at Texas Tech (which prompted a small break from football) before deciding to transfer to UCLA. In Game 4 of 2018, he left in the 4th quarter against Colorado with a meniscus injury. Shortly after, he had surgery to repair it and made a quick enough recovery to rejoin the team and play in their final two games of the season.

If Murphy can stay healthy, he will bring some much-needed experience to an offensive line that made massive improvements under Frye. With the O-line continuing to improve, UCLA will also be able to utilize a few extra weapons next season with redshirt freshmen Baraka Beckett joining the fray and the Bruins adding current OL commitments Rhyan, Beau Taylor, and Duke Clemens.

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Not bad for a team that had one of the worst rushing offenses the previous two seasons.