Now that we know who is in after National Signing Day, it is time to look at a potential depth chart for the UCLA football team in 2019.
A lot of UCLA football fans are not ecstatic when it comes to the most recent signing class, but it does not mean it is void of talent. We know that Chip Kelly and his staff know how to develop players, which gives us hope for the 19 newest Bruins, but how long will it take to accomplish that feat?
RELATED: UCLA Football National Signing Day Live Tracker
The other concern is the low number of signees as UCLA has had problems with depth at a few key positions in the last few seasons. Have they filled the gaps with their latest class? Let us find out…
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Sean Rhyan (Fr), Alec Anderson (R-Fr), Stephen DeFranco (R-Fr)
LG: Michael Alves (R-Jr), Beau Taylor (Fr), Sean Marrazzo (R-So)
C: Boss Tagaloa (Sr), Duke Clemens (Fr), Mohamed Khalil (R-Fr)
RG: Chris Murray (So), Baraka Beckett (R-Fr), Josh Carlin (Fr)
RT: Jake Burton (R-Jr), Jon Gaines (R-Fr), Lucas Grammlick (R-So)
The UCLA football team loaded up with offensive linemen in this class, which is a good thing. When Chip Kelly took over, this was one of the position groups in desperate need of talent and depth and for over the last year, they have brought in several linemen. What is even better is the fact that they have been developing under offensive coordinator Justin Frye.
With the Bruins losing three OLs from last season (Andre James, Justin Murphy, and Josh Wariboko-Alali), they reloaded with a few guys that will support the projected starters. Sean Rhyan should be a fan favorite and one of the favorites to win the starting left tackle position. He will most likely be alongside (from left to right) Michael Alves, Boss Tagaloa, Chris Murray and Jake Burton. Aside from Rhyan, the Bruins’ O-line is returning all starters.
Also look for a few young guys to take a step forward. We like what we are seeing from Alec Anderson, Baraka Beckett, and Jon Gaines.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
TE: Devin Asiasi (R-Jr), Jordan Wilson (R-Jr), David Priebe (R-Fr), Michael Martinez (Fr)
WR: Theo Howard (Sr), Kyle Phillips (So), Delon Hurt (R-Fr)
WR: Michael Ezeike (So), Dymond Lee (R-Jr), Charles Njoku (Fr), Jaylen Erwin (R-Fr)
WR: Demetric Felton (R-Jr), Chase Cota (So), Kain Medrano (Fr)
There was a clear difference in the recruitment of receivers from 2018 to 2019. Last year, the fervor of Chip Kelly returning to college football helped snag top receivers Chase Cota, Kyle Phillips, and Bryan Addison.
Though they are bringing in some solid receivers, they are not on the level as the recruits from last year. Still, there is plenty of veteran players that will help the passing game take a step forward next season while the younger players can adapt and assimilate into Kelly’s system.
Caleb Wilson might be gone, but the Bruins should be in good hands with Devin Asiasi and Jordan Wilson becoming the go-to guys, especially in the passing game, though we should see plenty of David Priebe and Michael Martinez with the way Kelly uses tight ends.
We expect Theo Howard to have an All-American season. He is explosive, he is smart, and he is now a senior leader that will thrive whilst working with Kelly for a second year and a third with WR coach Jimmie Dougherty.
Though we have Michael Ezeike and Demetric Felton starting, we can also envision scenarios in which Kyle Phillips, Dymond Lee, and Chase Cota get the #1 spot on the depth chart.
QUARTERBACKS/RUNNING BACKS
QB: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (So), Chase Griffin (Fr), Matt Lynch (R-Jr), Austin Burton (R-So)
RB: Joshua Kelley (R-Sr), Martell Irby (So), Kazmeir Allen (So), Keegan Jones (Fr), Jahmon McClendon (Fr)
The QB and RB starting positions seem set for next season. With Wilton Speight moving on and DTR having the most experience working in this offense, the starting spot should be the sophomore’s. But knowing Kelly and how he wants (needs) to develop his players, especially starters and backups, we should expect a full-on QB competition.
Why is that? Because Matt Lynch has made strides with Kelly, plus he has the same amount of knowledge of the playbook as DTR. There is also Austin Burton who had an impressive outing at last year’s Spring Game. And let us not forget Chase Griffin, the Texas Player of the Year in 2018.
As far as the running game, we all know Joshua Kelley is going to lead the charge, but how will the depth chart line up behind him?
Honestly, who knows? The four other backs have a variety of skills that Kelly can use in different situations. If the Bruins are in need for speed, Kazmeir Allen and Keegan Jones will be the lightning behind Kelley. If they need a more thunderous running approach, Martell Irby and Jahmon McClendon will add power to the run.
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Osa Odighizuwa (R-Jr), Rick Wade (R-Sr), Moses Robinson-Carr (R-So), Datona Jackson (R-Fr)
NT: Atonio Mafi (So), Otito Ogbonnia (So), Siale Liku (Fr)
DE: Martin Andrus (Jr), Tyler Manoa (So), Steven Mason (R-Fr), Noah Keeter (Fr)
There is a lot for Jerry Azzinaro to work with on the front line. Keep in mind, these are just my projections, so I expect to not only see a different depth chart next season, but I expect it to go through a variety of alterations.
Two players we should see a lot of is sophomore Atonio Mafi and Otito Ogbonnia who made a huge impact in their first season and should lead the charge in 2019. The Bruins will have experience with upperclassmen Osa Odighizuwa and Martin Andrus helping out on the edges. Both of these juniors took a step forward in their development last season and should only get better in 2019.
The Bruins also have a big brother in Rick Wade helping out. Though Wade did not play as much as expected in 2018, he should improve by fall and compete for a starting spot.
Tyler Manoa and Steven Mason should continue to progress and get more minutes, but the player in question is Moses Robinson-Carr who only played six games, mostly due to an indefinite suspension. If for some reason the DL depth thins out, the newest Bruin Datona Jackson should see time on the field.
LINEBACKERS
OLB: Keisean Lucier-South (R-Sr), Bo Calvert (R-Fr), Hayden Harris (Fr)
ILB: Krys Barnes (Sr), Lokeni Toailoa (Sr), John Ward (Fr), Leni Toailoa (R-Jr)
ILB: Josh Woods (R-Sr), Tyree Thompson (R-Sr), Je’Vari Anderson (R-Jr)
EDGE: Odua Isibor (R-So), Elijah Wade (So), Mique Juarez (R-Jr)
UCLA was only able to bring in two linebackers during this recent National Signing Day (and four total in the last two classes) which is not great, especially when you consider the Bruins have lost five LBs since Kelly took over.
Still, they have enough to put forth a solid group of linebackers next fall. One thing that will help the LBs in 2019 is staying healthy. Despite the lack of recruiting, the Bruins were also bitten by the injury bug which really put them at a disadvantage.
So with everything at 100% (knock on wood), UCLA has pretty good depth and experience at linebacker. The return of Josh Woods is going to give the Bruins an extra punch after he missed 2018 due to injury and with the emergence of Krys Barnes, the middle of the field will be in good hands.
The Bruins also have ironman Keisean Lucier-South minding the outside. That is three seniors starting and experience they have not had in a while.
UCLA also has Lokeni Toailoa and Tyree Thompson who proved that they are more than just role players. If anything, they will be competing for a starting spot in fall.
The big question is, “who is going to start at the edge position?” The Bruins lost their best pass rusher as Jaelan Phillips has left the program. Odua Isibor did a valiant job on the rush, but UCLA needs a few more. Who will step up behind him?
Also, keep in mind, UCLA has five senior LBs. They are gone after next season. If Kelly does not land several recruits for 2020, they are going to be very thin. Again.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
CB: Darnay Holmes (Jr), Jay Shaw (R-So), Rayshad Williams (R-Fr)
S: Mo Osling (Jr), Elisha Guidry (So), Carl Jones (Fr), William Nimmo (Fr)
S: Quentin Lake (Jr), Stephen Blaylock (So), Kenny Churchwell (R-Fr)
CB: Elijah Gates (R-So), Patrick Jolly (R-Fr), Sharmar Martin (Fr)
UCLA’s secondary was not as efficient as they were in previous years, though part of that had to do with injuries. This year, they have a lot of players that know the defensive system and will benefit from recoveries (across the entire defense) and the latest signees.
The big man on campus is Darnay Holmes who continues to be a beast in the backfield. We all knew he was talented, but now he has two years of college football under his belt and will be the de facto leader of the DBs. Elijah Gates will take over at the other CB spot, but he should be pushed by competition from Jay Shaw and Patrick Jolly.
At safety, Quentin Lake should be guaranteed a start after his progress last season, the only problem is picking his partner back in the deep.
Mo Osling and Stephen Blaylock are going to be in the rotation no matter what, so whether they start or backup, we are going to see a lot of these two quickly developing defenders. Elisha Guidry and Kenny Churchwell will also be in the mix for backup spots, and if I had to guess which freshman is most likely to step up, I would keep an eye on Sharmar Martin.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: JJ Molson (Sr), Nick Barr-Mira (Fr)
P: Collin Flintoft (Fr)
LS: Johnny Den Bleyker (Sr), Jack Landherr (Fr)
The only change among the special teams specialists is at punter as Stefan Flintoft has graduated and left the program. In his place, his cousin Collin Flintoft will take over, though he is officially a walk-on.
UCLA will have two other walk-ons in the special teams ranks, though they will back up the returning starters.
At kicker, JJ Molson will have his last season with UCLA and it should be a good one. Behind him is the younger brother of former UCLA LB Anthony Barr, walk-on kicker Nick Barr-Mira.
Johnny Den Bleyker comes back as the starting long snapper and will be supported by Jack Landherr.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUP – OFFENSE
- LT: Sean Rhyan (Fr)
- LG: Michael Alves (R-Jr)
- C: Boss Tagaloa (Sr)
- RG: Chris Murray (So)
- RT: Jake Burton (R-Jr)
- TE: Devin Asiasi (R-Jr)
- WR: Theo Howard (Sr)
- WR: Michael Ezeike (So)
- WR: Demetric Felton (R-Jr)
- QB: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (So)
- RB: Joshua Kelley (R-Sr)
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUP – DEFENSE
- DE: Osa Odighizuwa (R-Jr)
- NT: Atonio Mafi (So)
- DE: Martin Andrus (Jr)
- OLB: Keisean Lucier-South (R-Sr)
- ILB: Krys Barnes (Sr)
- ILB: Josh Woods (R-Sr)
- EDGE: Odua Isibor (R-So)
- CB: Darnay Holmes (Jr)
- S: Mo Osling (Jr)
- S: Quentin Lake (Jr)
- CB: Elijah Gates (R-So)
Reminder: UCLA football’s spring training begins March 5 and runs through. April 20.