UCLA Football: Five Bruins named to Athlon’s preseason team

UCLA Football had the lowest number of players selected to Athlon Sports’ Preseason Pac-12 team, with just five Bruins receiving honors.

UCLA Football had an up-and-down 2019-20 season, but their outlook for the coming season has generally been viewed as positive.

However, one outlet in particular does not agree with the positivity, as in Athlon Sports’ Annual preseason All Pac-12 team, the Bruins had just five selections.

Of those selections, not a single player was named to either the first or second teams. The Bruins first selection was all-purpose back Demetric Felton, who was third-team All Pac-12 for the all-purpose position.

Also on the third team offense is lineman Jake Burton, the Bruins top returning offensive linesman.

The Bruins had one representative on the third team defense, as Osa Odighizuwa was named to the third team defensive line.

Wide receiver Kyle Phillips was named to the fourth team offense, with Felton getting the nod as the fourth team kick returner.

One notable exclusion was quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was left off of the list in favor of California quarterback Chase Garbers and Stanford quarterback Davis Mills.

The Bruins tied with Arizona for the fewest number of players named to the preseason teams. Although all preseason rankings and predictions should be taken with a grain of salt, the Bruins certainly would’ve liked to see more respect after a strong finish to last season.

The lack of star power on paper is UCLA’s biggest defficiency, but that doesn’t mean that someone such as DTR can emerge as an All-Pac 12 caliber performer this upcoming season.