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UCLA Football 2019: Position Group Preview – Receivers and Tight Ends

By Mike Regalado

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Theo Howard #14 of the UCLA Bruins runs with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 28, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Theo Howard #14 of the UCLA Bruins runs with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 28, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Z Receiver

  1. Chase Cota (So) 6’3, 205
  2. Demetric Felton (Jr) 5’10, 185
  3. Dymond Lee (Jr) 6’2, 185
  4. Kain Medrano (Fr) 6’4, 200
  5. Ashton Authement (Fr, Walk-on) 6’3, 180

Cota is the flashy sophomore that returns after a very productive true freshman season which saw him participate in all 12 games with a total of 168 yards, which should significantly increase in 2019. During spring, Cota continued to develop and looks like he’s ready to step into a starting role. He has very good hands, good speed and is a very smart player, which will get the Bruins a second option in the passing game after Howard.

Felton is going to be an interesting one to watch because not only has he slowly developed into a solid receiver, but has also proven himself as a running back and knowing Chip Kelly’s innovation, I would not put it past him to use Felton in both positions.

Lee has not seen that much time on the field, but he is slowly growing into his potential. Last year he only played in nine games and caught for 61. If he continues to develop, those numbers will increase this season.

Medrano has a lot of talent and should also quickly adapt to the offense, but how many minutes he plays depends on how he improves in the fall. If anything, he could possibly redshirt and develop into that X receiver the Bruins need in the future.