With the season and Signing Day over, it's now time for BruinSportsReport.com to take a look back on how the scout team Bruins fared in 2014.
Instead of a usual breakdown, however, we turned to BSR subscribers for questions on players they most wanted to hear about.
So here we go:
Q: Will Woulard ever take a meaningful snap at QB? If not, does he have the skill set to play receiver?
A: It doesn't seem likely. He has all the tools, from a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, to a compact delivery with good spin on his football. Yet in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 situations, it just has yet to click for him. Things appear to move a mile a minute and bad decisions come often.
Because he was the third stringer this past year, he was moved off the scout team and his practice workload decreased significantly, which probably didn't help him improve much on the field. With Jerry Neuheisel being a very safe option, and with the upside Josh Rosen has oozed, it seems like something catastrophic would have to go down with those two before Woulard really got a meaningful rep.
As for wide receiver, he might just have a future there. Quarterbacks always have some of the best hands because they handle the football all day. And Woulard does have some track speed. But I would bet as a former Elite 11 MVP he'd probably transfer to a smaller school and seek more playing time before that move happened.
Q: Who were some of the scout team standouts and will any of them contribute this coming season?
A: Honestly, there were only three or four guys that flashed legitimate upside. The first was Jordan Lasley. The freshman wide receiver out of Serra had some eye-popping practices, especially down the stretch. Some in the program are already comparing him to Nelson Agholor.
The second was Aaron Sharp, whose big body and track speed made him a really enticing wide receiver. In the final month, it was the Sharp and Lasley Show on the outsides of the scout team offense.
The third was Adarius Pickett, who moved to safety late in the year and seemed very comfortable there. He looks like he could find a place in the two-deep there next season.
The fourth was probably Alex Van Dyke, just because of his size. That's a massive wide receiver who could become a big target for QBs.
Q: Do you see any of the WRs breaking in the playing rotation? Is Savaiinaea limited to only playing in base 3-4? How did Fisher and Griffin develop as players and physically? Do you think Dwight Williams will play any special teams this year?
A: I could see most of them finding some kind of niche. Lasley, Sharp and Alex Van Dyke all showed they have high Pac-12 upside at some point this year on the scout team. An unheralded walk-on Zach Bornstein caught some eyes too, but he's much further away than the above three.
Savaiinaea has a lot of versatility. He played some DE for UCLA last year and didn't look horrible there. He also played fullback and didn't look bad there either. But given the depth ahead of him at ILB, especially if Roquan Smith comes, I don't know if he'll be much more than a backup here.
Denzel Fisher and Cameron Griffin, outside of fall camp, didn't play one meaningful rep on scout team this year. Fisher was out all season with a back injury. Griffin was out all year after shoulder surgery.
Dwight Williams, like Fisher and Griffin, missed the entire year with an MCL injury. So I'm not sure where he is with his development and if he'll be much more than a special teamer.
Q: How did Tuioti-Mariner and Taua progress this year?
A: I thought Jacob Tuioti-Mariner flashed the most upside of the three freshmen D-linemen (Ainuu Taua and Matt Dickerson being the other two). I just liked the way he held the point of attack in the running game, and I think his pass-rushing skillset will come on.
To be honest about Taua, I didn't see a whole ton there to get that excited about. He has a very high motor, which might make him a Keenan Graham-like three-tech pass-rusher down the road, but it's hard to see him being a huge contributor anytime soon.
Q: If you had to bet your last nickel on one of the players changing position, who would it be and why?
A: Sharp to wide receiver. The QB depth chart is pretty heavy now, and he was so bad on scout team QB that UCLA had to move Mike Fafaul down there to give the starting defense a better look.
Pickett to safety is probably a safe bet as well. Savaiinaea to fullback wouldn't shock me either.
Q: What areas is Woulard struggling with? Is Woulard still struggling a reflection on the QB coach? Is Sharp officially a WR now? If he is will he get a legit shot to play?
A: It's all just a mental thing with Woulard. Just not processing defenses fast enough. I don't think that's Taylor Mazzone's fault. I think that's just something innate in QBs. The game either ends up slowing down for the good ones or it doesn't. I don't know how you would teach a guy to just think quicker.
I don't think Sharp has officially made the move, but he never seemed to be against it. I'd bet by the second week of spring ball he's playing wideout. And there's a ton of depth there, but he should have a chance to play eventually.
Q: What position do you think Pickett will finally end up at?
A: He's a running back in my opinion. But with the emergence of Paul Perkins, Steven Manfro coming back, Nate Starks having a solid freshman year, and Bolu Olorunfunmi and Soso Jamabo signing, he's probably going to be a safety for the rest of his career here.
Q: Do you think D. Fisher will contribute at corner next season? Can you tell us what you think of his game. Also, will Johnny Johnson ever play a down for UCLA?
A: I liked Fisher a lot at the end of his high school career. But he has to gain weight. And with his back injury that kept him out all season, he really hasn't been able to do that. I think another pseudo-redshirt year is likely.
I'd be surprised if Johnson played again. I believe he's had three surgeries on that shoulder since coming to UCLA, and it was messed up in high school to begin with too. The Bruins may give him one more chance, but I think it might be wise to just tell him to hang it up so he can have an arm when he's 50 years old.
Q: What is the coaches' plan for the kicking game? Both P and PK were underwhelming last year. Is there anyone coming up to be excited about? Are the coaches prioritizing this?
A: Ka'imi Fairbairn and Adam Searl / Matt Mengel will be your kickers, and that won't change no matter how bad they are.
In 2016, I'm sure UCLA will bring in a scholarship kicker. And generally that means, "Hey Chris Sailer, who's the best available?"
Q: Is Lasley good enough to keep SJ III at CB?
A: Yes, although they would probably play two different positions. Stephen Johnson would be an F, while Lasley would be an outside guy.
Q: Not a scout team question, but my curiosity has been killing me for months. Can you reveal the real stories on Sean Covington, Kylie Fitts, and Zach Whitley? Understand if you can't, but still puzzled by this, especially Kylie. Thanks!
A: With Covington, the story was it was an academic issue. With Fitts, no pun intended, I was told it was just a fit issue. He just didn't feel comfortable on the team and in a big spotlight like Hollywood and UCLA. With Whitley, he just wasn't a good teammate, and I'll leave that one there.
Q: How are Orjioke and Goforth recoveries coming along?
A: Randall Goforth just posted a video on Instagram of him training this weekend, and he looks great. I'd expect him to be in a red jersey in the spring. With Kenny Orjioke, during bowl practices, Jim Mora seemed to hint that he was running behind schedule with his knee injury. I'd doubt he'll do much in the spring.
Q: Ed, what kind of beer do you drink at the end of a long signing day? Yeah, more of a mailbag question, but still curious.
A: I'm a macro beer kind of guy. My pops was a truck driver. I mess with Bud Light and Coors Light exclusively.
Q: Will sharp be a deep threat WR? Who stood out as improving physically the most on scout team?
A: Sharp seemed to be more of an all-around wideout like Devin Lucien. Has deep threat ability, but nothing crazy. As for physically improving, I'm not sure anybody really improves that drastically during the season. The biggest improvements we usually see go from December to the first day of spring ball in April.
Q: Have you seen Roberts participate at all? If yes - how was he; if no - do you know how his recovery is coming along? How does Kolton Miller look after a year in the program? Craig Lee - how deep in the doghouse is he? Can you say why? What can we reasonably expect going forward? It seems like he's got the raw talent to be special if he could put things together, no? How was Van Dyke looking? Do you see any of the young DL as future impact players? How did they develop physically, and how did they develop as a unit?
A: Austin Roberts sat out the entire year with the ACL injury. I'm not sure how the recovery is coming. I think the last time I saw him on Spaulding was prior to his surgery in August.
Kolton Miller looks like he has some upside. He bends well for being a legit 6 feet 8. He's still going to need much more seasoning, but a nice piece of clay for Adrian Klemm to keep molding.
I don't think Craig Lee is in the doghouse. I just don't think he's ready to play at this level. Picking up blitzes, reading defenses and knowing the playbook seem to have prevented him from getting any sort of playing time. If it's just a straight run, or a swing or a simple play, he looks great. But when there are complicated factors involved, I don't think the staff trusts him. Even if he improves in those categories, with Perkins, Starks and Manfro in front of him, and promising prospects like Jamabo and Olorunfunmi behind him, playing time is probably going to be scarce.
I like Van Dyke. He's not a natural pass catcher, but he's a massive body on the outsides who could be a Y down the road. He earned the nickname Bambi because he was so raw, but he looks like he'll figure it out and be a contributor soon.
Like I wrote above, Tuioti-Mariner was probably the best of the three freshmen, and I think he'll be a future starter at some point. Dickerson flashed future starter qualities too. With Taua, I'm not sure I see him being a super key contributor. His size is going to prevent him from being an every-down player in my opinion.
Q: Ed, of the pure scout team players (please list those scout only members), who are you most excited by. Talent, play time and leadership.
A: Lasley was really good. Sharp's upside at wide receiver intrigues me. Pickett came on strong at safety in the end. Tuioti-Mariner and Dickerson should be future starters on the D-line. Poasi Moala had some good days, but he still needs to get better. Other than that, I'm not sure there were too many other guys who didn't play this season that flashed starter upside.
Cameron Judge and Jayon Brown are a hellish duo on special teams already, but will they ever play a major role on defense? Or are they going to go the way of David Allen, Ryan Hofmeister, and other career special team specialists?
A: It's all just a matter of who's in front of them. If this were ASU or Cal or something, they'd have a really good shot at starting. Both Brown and Judge have some really good practices. Yet when you've got guys like Myles Jack and Kenny Young in front of you, and now maybe Keisean Lucier-South and Josh Woods and Roquan Smith, it's just a lot of pure ability to overcome.
Q: Do u see Simon Goines starting next year? Best guess as who's in line to start at OWA's and EK's old spot right now?
A: The only way I see Goines starting is if Caleb Benenoch moves inside. There's a chance UCLA may try to redshirt Scott Quessenberry, so that could be a possibility. But if everyone's healthy, I think your starting lineup remains (from left to right): McDermott, Redmond, Brendel, Quessenberry and Benenoch.
As of today, I'd probably bet on Eli Ankou or Tuioti-Mariner getting Owa's job, at least on running downs. On passing downs, I think you'll see Keisean Lucier-South or Josh Woods opposite of Deon Hollins.
With Kendricks' spot, it'll be Kenny Young, pretty much guaranteed.
Q: Hey Ed, I know nobody is talking about Jerry N. but do you think he will be starting next year? What is the D-line looking like next year?
A: I think Rosen is your starter, maybe even if Jerry Neuheisel outplays him in the spring and fall. Rosen's ceiling is just so much greater than Neuheisel's that I think you suffer through some of the growing pains this year so it can pay off down the road.
If it's a 3-4, the starters are probably DE Eddie Vanderdoes, NT Kenny Clark, DE Eli Ankou / Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. If it's a 4-3, it's probably DE Deon Hollins, DT Vanderdoes, DT Clark, DE Ankou / Tuioti-Mariner.
Q: Do you think there is anyone from the scout team that could rise up and be a real contributor on the front seven - especially with the weak signing day class we had there this year? Did NaJee Toran continue to play well in practice after the Virginia game? Also, was Zach Whitley playing well before he left?
A: Not really. Like I wrote above, Ankou, Tuioti-Mariner and Dickerson look like they have some starter upside, but none of them are going to make you forget Owa Odighizuwa. DE recruiting will be big in 2016.
I thought Toran played well. I'm actually surprised he wasn't given another shot later in the year. I think he's nasty and still should be in the two-deep, maybe even ahead of Kenny Lacy if he can keep improving.
I actually didn't notice Whitley much, although they did move him to safety toward the end of the year to help with depth and I think that messed with his progression.
Q: Are there any thoughts of switching some players from the O-line to the D-line?
A: Given the class Klemm just hauled in, I don't think it'll be farfetched for Angus McClure to ask for somebody. The only guys though that would be capable are probably Fred Ulu-Perry and Toran, and I don't think Klemm will give them up.
Q: John Lopez.... what say you?
A: I think he's a scout team lifer. He hasn't really made much progress at all with his body or his game. Really looks like the same guy he was in his true freshman season. With all the guys UCLA has brought in at guard, he's going to get buried.
Let me know if I missed anything or you guys have any more pressing questions here.
Instead of a usual breakdown, however, we turned to BSR subscribers for questions on players they most wanted to hear about.
So here we go:
Q: Will Woulard ever take a meaningful snap at QB? If not, does he have the skill set to play receiver?
A: It doesn't seem likely. He has all the tools, from a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, to a compact delivery with good spin on his football. Yet in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 situations, it just has yet to click for him. Things appear to move a mile a minute and bad decisions come often.
Because he was the third stringer this past year, he was moved off the scout team and his practice workload decreased significantly, which probably didn't help him improve much on the field. With Jerry Neuheisel being a very safe option, and with the upside Josh Rosen has oozed, it seems like something catastrophic would have to go down with those two before Woulard really got a meaningful rep.
As for wide receiver, he might just have a future there. Quarterbacks always have some of the best hands because they handle the football all day. And Woulard does have some track speed. But I would bet as a former Elite 11 MVP he'd probably transfer to a smaller school and seek more playing time before that move happened.
Q: Who were some of the scout team standouts and will any of them contribute this coming season?
A: Honestly, there were only three or four guys that flashed legitimate upside. The first was Jordan Lasley. The freshman wide receiver out of Serra had some eye-popping practices, especially down the stretch. Some in the program are already comparing him to Nelson Agholor.
The second was Aaron Sharp, whose big body and track speed made him a really enticing wide receiver. In the final month, it was the Sharp and Lasley Show on the outsides of the scout team offense.
The third was Adarius Pickett, who moved to safety late in the year and seemed very comfortable there. He looks like he could find a place in the two-deep there next season.
The fourth was probably Alex Van Dyke, just because of his size. That's a massive wide receiver who could become a big target for QBs.
Q: Do you see any of the WRs breaking in the playing rotation? Is Savaiinaea limited to only playing in base 3-4? How did Fisher and Griffin develop as players and physically? Do you think Dwight Williams will play any special teams this year?
A: I could see most of them finding some kind of niche. Lasley, Sharp and Alex Van Dyke all showed they have high Pac-12 upside at some point this year on the scout team. An unheralded walk-on Zach Bornstein caught some eyes too, but he's much further away than the above three.
Savaiinaea has a lot of versatility. He played some DE for UCLA last year and didn't look horrible there. He also played fullback and didn't look bad there either. But given the depth ahead of him at ILB, especially if Roquan Smith comes, I don't know if he'll be much more than a backup here.
Denzel Fisher and Cameron Griffin, outside of fall camp, didn't play one meaningful rep on scout team this year. Fisher was out all season with a back injury. Griffin was out all year after shoulder surgery.
Dwight Williams, like Fisher and Griffin, missed the entire year with an MCL injury. So I'm not sure where he is with his development and if he'll be much more than a special teamer.
Q: How did Tuioti-Mariner and Taua progress this year?
A: I thought Jacob Tuioti-Mariner flashed the most upside of the three freshmen D-linemen (Ainuu Taua and Matt Dickerson being the other two). I just liked the way he held the point of attack in the running game, and I think his pass-rushing skillset will come on.
To be honest about Taua, I didn't see a whole ton there to get that excited about. He has a very high motor, which might make him a Keenan Graham-like three-tech pass-rusher down the road, but it's hard to see him being a huge contributor anytime soon.
Q: If you had to bet your last nickel on one of the players changing position, who would it be and why?
A: Sharp to wide receiver. The QB depth chart is pretty heavy now, and he was so bad on scout team QB that UCLA had to move Mike Fafaul down there to give the starting defense a better look.
Pickett to safety is probably a safe bet as well. Savaiinaea to fullback wouldn't shock me either.
Q: What areas is Woulard struggling with? Is Woulard still struggling a reflection on the QB coach? Is Sharp officially a WR now? If he is will he get a legit shot to play?
A: It's all just a mental thing with Woulard. Just not processing defenses fast enough. I don't think that's Taylor Mazzone's fault. I think that's just something innate in QBs. The game either ends up slowing down for the good ones or it doesn't. I don't know how you would teach a guy to just think quicker.
I don't think Sharp has officially made the move, but he never seemed to be against it. I'd bet by the second week of spring ball he's playing wideout. And there's a ton of depth there, but he should have a chance to play eventually.
Q: What position do you think Pickett will finally end up at?
A: He's a running back in my opinion. But with the emergence of Paul Perkins, Steven Manfro coming back, Nate Starks having a solid freshman year, and Bolu Olorunfunmi and Soso Jamabo signing, he's probably going to be a safety for the rest of his career here.
Q: Do you think D. Fisher will contribute at corner next season? Can you tell us what you think of his game. Also, will Johnny Johnson ever play a down for UCLA?
A: I liked Fisher a lot at the end of his high school career. But he has to gain weight. And with his back injury that kept him out all season, he really hasn't been able to do that. I think another pseudo-redshirt year is likely.
I'd be surprised if Johnson played again. I believe he's had three surgeries on that shoulder since coming to UCLA, and it was messed up in high school to begin with too. The Bruins may give him one more chance, but I think it might be wise to just tell him to hang it up so he can have an arm when he's 50 years old.
Q: What is the coaches' plan for the kicking game? Both P and PK were underwhelming last year. Is there anyone coming up to be excited about? Are the coaches prioritizing this?
A: Ka'imi Fairbairn and Adam Searl / Matt Mengel will be your kickers, and that won't change no matter how bad they are.
In 2016, I'm sure UCLA will bring in a scholarship kicker. And generally that means, "Hey Chris Sailer, who's the best available?"
Q: Is Lasley good enough to keep SJ III at CB?
A: Yes, although they would probably play two different positions. Stephen Johnson would be an F, while Lasley would be an outside guy.
Q: Not a scout team question, but my curiosity has been killing me for months. Can you reveal the real stories on Sean Covington, Kylie Fitts, and Zach Whitley? Understand if you can't, but still puzzled by this, especially Kylie. Thanks!
A: With Covington, the story was it was an academic issue. With Fitts, no pun intended, I was told it was just a fit issue. He just didn't feel comfortable on the team and in a big spotlight like Hollywood and UCLA. With Whitley, he just wasn't a good teammate, and I'll leave that one there.
Q: How are Orjioke and Goforth recoveries coming along?
A: Randall Goforth just posted a video on Instagram of him training this weekend, and he looks great. I'd expect him to be in a red jersey in the spring. With Kenny Orjioke, during bowl practices, Jim Mora seemed to hint that he was running behind schedule with his knee injury. I'd doubt he'll do much in the spring.
Q: Ed, what kind of beer do you drink at the end of a long signing day? Yeah, more of a mailbag question, but still curious.
A: I'm a macro beer kind of guy. My pops was a truck driver. I mess with Bud Light and Coors Light exclusively.
Q: Will sharp be a deep threat WR? Who stood out as improving physically the most on scout team?
A: Sharp seemed to be more of an all-around wideout like Devin Lucien. Has deep threat ability, but nothing crazy. As for physically improving, I'm not sure anybody really improves that drastically during the season. The biggest improvements we usually see go from December to the first day of spring ball in April.
Q: Have you seen Roberts participate at all? If yes - how was he; if no - do you know how his recovery is coming along? How does Kolton Miller look after a year in the program? Craig Lee - how deep in the doghouse is he? Can you say why? What can we reasonably expect going forward? It seems like he's got the raw talent to be special if he could put things together, no? How was Van Dyke looking? Do you see any of the young DL as future impact players? How did they develop physically, and how did they develop as a unit?
A: Austin Roberts sat out the entire year with the ACL injury. I'm not sure how the recovery is coming. I think the last time I saw him on Spaulding was prior to his surgery in August.
Kolton Miller looks like he has some upside. He bends well for being a legit 6 feet 8. He's still going to need much more seasoning, but a nice piece of clay for Adrian Klemm to keep molding.
I don't think Craig Lee is in the doghouse. I just don't think he's ready to play at this level. Picking up blitzes, reading defenses and knowing the playbook seem to have prevented him from getting any sort of playing time. If it's just a straight run, or a swing or a simple play, he looks great. But when there are complicated factors involved, I don't think the staff trusts him. Even if he improves in those categories, with Perkins, Starks and Manfro in front of him, and promising prospects like Jamabo and Olorunfunmi behind him, playing time is probably going to be scarce.
I like Van Dyke. He's not a natural pass catcher, but he's a massive body on the outsides who could be a Y down the road. He earned the nickname Bambi because he was so raw, but he looks like he'll figure it out and be a contributor soon.
Like I wrote above, Tuioti-Mariner was probably the best of the three freshmen, and I think he'll be a future starter at some point. Dickerson flashed future starter qualities too. With Taua, I'm not sure I see him being a super key contributor. His size is going to prevent him from being an every-down player in my opinion.
Q: Ed, of the pure scout team players (please list those scout only members), who are you most excited by. Talent, play time and leadership.
A: Lasley was really good. Sharp's upside at wide receiver intrigues me. Pickett came on strong at safety in the end. Tuioti-Mariner and Dickerson should be future starters on the D-line. Poasi Moala had some good days, but he still needs to get better. Other than that, I'm not sure there were too many other guys who didn't play this season that flashed starter upside.
Cameron Judge and Jayon Brown are a hellish duo on special teams already, but will they ever play a major role on defense? Or are they going to go the way of David Allen, Ryan Hofmeister, and other career special team specialists?
A: It's all just a matter of who's in front of them. If this were ASU or Cal or something, they'd have a really good shot at starting. Both Brown and Judge have some really good practices. Yet when you've got guys like Myles Jack and Kenny Young in front of you, and now maybe Keisean Lucier-South and Josh Woods and Roquan Smith, it's just a lot of pure ability to overcome.
Q: Do u see Simon Goines starting next year? Best guess as who's in line to start at OWA's and EK's old spot right now?
A: The only way I see Goines starting is if Caleb Benenoch moves inside. There's a chance UCLA may try to redshirt Scott Quessenberry, so that could be a possibility. But if everyone's healthy, I think your starting lineup remains (from left to right): McDermott, Redmond, Brendel, Quessenberry and Benenoch.
As of today, I'd probably bet on Eli Ankou or Tuioti-Mariner getting Owa's job, at least on running downs. On passing downs, I think you'll see Keisean Lucier-South or Josh Woods opposite of Deon Hollins.
With Kendricks' spot, it'll be Kenny Young, pretty much guaranteed.
Q: Hey Ed, I know nobody is talking about Jerry N. but do you think he will be starting next year? What is the D-line looking like next year?
A: I think Rosen is your starter, maybe even if Jerry Neuheisel outplays him in the spring and fall. Rosen's ceiling is just so much greater than Neuheisel's that I think you suffer through some of the growing pains this year so it can pay off down the road.
If it's a 3-4, the starters are probably DE Eddie Vanderdoes, NT Kenny Clark, DE Eli Ankou / Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. If it's a 4-3, it's probably DE Deon Hollins, DT Vanderdoes, DT Clark, DE Ankou / Tuioti-Mariner.
Q: Do you think there is anyone from the scout team that could rise up and be a real contributor on the front seven - especially with the weak signing day class we had there this year? Did NaJee Toran continue to play well in practice after the Virginia game? Also, was Zach Whitley playing well before he left?
A: Not really. Like I wrote above, Ankou, Tuioti-Mariner and Dickerson look like they have some starter upside, but none of them are going to make you forget Owa Odighizuwa. DE recruiting will be big in 2016.
I thought Toran played well. I'm actually surprised he wasn't given another shot later in the year. I think he's nasty and still should be in the two-deep, maybe even ahead of Kenny Lacy if he can keep improving.
I actually didn't notice Whitley much, although they did move him to safety toward the end of the year to help with depth and I think that messed with his progression.
Q: Are there any thoughts of switching some players from the O-line to the D-line?
A: Given the class Klemm just hauled in, I don't think it'll be farfetched for Angus McClure to ask for somebody. The only guys though that would be capable are probably Fred Ulu-Perry and Toran, and I don't think Klemm will give them up.
Q: John Lopez.... what say you?
A: I think he's a scout team lifer. He hasn't really made much progress at all with his body or his game. Really looks like the same guy he was in his true freshman season. With all the guys UCLA has brought in at guard, he's going to get buried.
Let me know if I missed anything or you guys have any more pressing questions here.
