UCLA Bruins
Jim Mora Jr. has built up a wonderful program at UCLA in just a few seasons, but they are still one step below the elites of the PAC 12. UCLA still struggles beating the top contenders in the conference, namely Stanford and Oregon. All three of UCLA’s losses in 2013 came to conference rivals ranked in the top 25. Furthermore, two of those three losses were by two or more scores.
2013 was supposed to be the year that UCLA made the stride needed for a PAC 12 championship. It was offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone’s second season, as well as Brett Hundley’s second season as the starting quarterback. Their offensive skill players were stacked and their defensive front seven was one of the best in the country. Despite all of that, something was not clicking when they faced the top dogs in the conference.
Top Newcomers
Zach Whitley, Linebacker: Whitley possesses the ideal aggressiveness that coaches look for in inside linebackers. He commands the middle of the defensive front and brutalizes any ball carrier he sees.
Jaleel Wadood, Safety: At 5’11” and 170 pounds, Wadood does not have ideal size, but he has an incredible nose for the ball. He flies around the field making tackles everywhere, ensuring that his presence is known.
Top Returning Players
Myles Jack, Linebacker/Running Back: As just a freshman, Jack dominated the PAC 12 as an inside linebacker. His athleticism is complemented by the instinctiveness needed to play inside linebacker. Likewise, Jack saw some time at running back last season and thrives there as well. The plan is to keep Jack as a full time linebacker, but still use him sparingly as a running back.
Brett Hundley, Quarterback: Mazzone’s system maximizes Hundley’s potential wonderfully. For the most part, the system is designed for quick hitting throws that do require much thinking. Hundley can either fire away or put his legs to use. Either way, Hundley is a top notch collegiate quarterback that has a knack for making jaw dropping plays.
Positional Breakdown
Quarterback: Assuming Hundley will stay healthy, he will lead the offense just fine. If Hundley were to go down, Asianti Woulard, an athletic type like Hundley, would take over. He is a bit of an unknown, but was the winner of the coveted Elite 11 tournament when he came out of high school.
Running Back: For the past few years, UCLA’s running back corps has quietly been a deep, talented group. Jordon James and Paul Perkins split the bulk of the carries like they did last season, while Myles Jack and Steven Manfro get carries on occasion.
Wide Receiver: Though UCLA lost Shaq Evans, their 2013 receptions leader, they have three returning players that will make a stellar corps. Devin Fuller, Devin Lucien, and Jordan Payton all possess different traits and compliment each other well. Most notably, expect big numbers from Lucien.
Offensive Tackle: Former right tackle Caleb Benenoch will be making the transition to the blind side, but considering how well he played as a freshman last season, he will be solid. Replacing him on the right will be Simon Goines, who started seven games at tackle last season.
Offensive Guard: Losing arguably the nation’s best guard in Xavier Su’a-Filo will be the toughest replacement for UCLA. Miami (FL) transfer Malcolm Bunche, who started every game in 2012 and played in 11 games in 2013. Alongside him will be Alex Redmond, who played relatively well for a freshman starter in the PAC 12.
Center: On a positive note, Jake Brendel will be a returning starter. On a negative note, Brendel is not that good. The linemen around him will have to keep him afloat.
Interior Defensive Line: Owamagbe Odighizuwa will be the stout veteran presence to anchor his younger counterparts. Former star recruit Eddie Vanderdoes will move into a more active role this season and become a household name. Along with those two, Ellis McCarthy will be a wonderful third piece to the corps.
Outside Linebacker: Though Anthony Barr will not be returning, Deon Hollins and Kenny Orjioke will make an explosive young duo of pass rushers. They may be a bit less productive than the starters last season, the future is bright.
Inside Linebacker: Veteran Eric Kendricks, who is also the reigning tackle leader, will be back as the leader presence for the Bruins defense. Next to him will be one of the best defenders in the country: Myles Jack.
Defensive Back: Three players responsible for half of UCLA’s interceptions last season will be returning. Cornerback Ishmael Adams and safeties Randall Goforth and Anthony Jefferson will be back on the starting roster hoping to recreate their production, as will the other cornerback Fabian Moreau.
Biggest Strength
UCLA’s 2014 offense is going to be an efficient, relentless group. Mazzone’s offense is a spread attack that is predicated on quickly getting his skill players into space, which plays to the strengths of players like Lucien and Fuller. Even running backs caught 54 passes last season under Mazzone. While their passing offense will be explosive, their rushing attack should be up to the same standard. The talented running backs corps, as well as Hundley, make for a team that will force defenses to respect the run. Also, Hundley is a perfect fit for the read option concepts that Mazzone tends to run. Through both the ground and the air, UCLA is going to score fast and score often.
Biggest Weakness
Relative to the entire PAC 12, UCLA will have a solid defense, but relative to the powerhouses of the conference, UCLA is a tier or two below where they need to be. Oregon, USC, and Stanford all allowed fewer yards per attempt than UCLA in 2013. Likewise, Oregon and Stanford allowed fewer yards per rushing attempt. Furthermore, UCLA finished sixth in sacks in the conference, which was behind USC and Stanford. If UCLA wants to have a shot against top notch rivals, the youth of the defense has to step up and improve the defense to the level that it needs to be at.