UCLA Football: Running back position preview
With UCLA Football’s season coming up, it is time to preview each position. Up next is the running back position for the Bruins.
Despite the recent struggles of the team as a whole, UCLA Football has always seemed to receive quality play from the running back position.
The Bruins are hopefully for that trend to continue next season, as Demetric Felton will take over the running back position in his senior season.
Felton was primarily a wide receiver for his first two seasons at UCLA, but transitioned into an all-purpose role in his first season in Chip Kelly’s system. Felton thrived, totalling nearly one thousand all-purpose yards and finding the endzone six times.
In his final collegiate season, Felton will take on his biggest workload yet, serving as the starting running back and all-around top threat on offense.
Felton should continue to put up big numbers, as his play compliments that of quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Felton could very well end up being the Bruins’ top rusher, receiver, and returner in 2020.
Considering that it is his first season as the starting back, Felton will certainly be splitting reps in the backfield, with Duke transfer Brittain Brown and rising junor Kazmeir Allen also due to get carries next season.
Felton is due for a big season in his senior year at UCLA, but with a lack of depth behind him, the Bruins will need to be cautious of overworking Felton. If his load is managed correctly, then the chemistry between he and DTR could jump the Bruins offense into a top unit in the Pac-12.