UCLA had probably its most entertaining practice Saturday afternoon with live scrimmaging and even a long 1-on-1 portion. There were a ton of notes to get to, so here we go:
-It was a big day on the recruiting front with the nation's No. 1 overall player, quarterback Jacob Eason, attending practice. Four-star QB Devon Modster, who's set to commit later this month, was also at practice. Four-star DL Wole Betiku, four-star ATH Melquise Stovall and 2015 DL Kyon Clark all also attended as well.
-UCLA broke out more Devin Fuller trickery today, and on the first play of the scrimmage, the wideout hit Roosevelt Davis for a long gain on a receiver pass. Based on the past two practices, UCLA is clearly trying to make him a wrinkle this year.
-The starting units were the same on both sides of the ball this morning. Tahaan Goodman filled in for Randall Goforth, who's still injured. All four quarterbacks rotated with the ones as well.
-Speaking of the quarterbacks, it was a very good day for all of them, but Josh Rosen was the standout yet again. I had him at 8-for-13 for 99 yards and a touchdown with no picks in 11-on-11s. Yet numbers aside, he was brilliant in the pocket. His feel for pressure and his feet to get away from it were something seriously special. He had several throws today that were jaw-dropping too. A perfectly placed out route to Thomas Duarte, a 3rd-and-long deep ball to Roosevelt Davis and another big 3rd-and-long conversion had the crowd cheering this morning. He nearly had another huge 3rd-and-long conversion to Mossi Johnson late in drills, but Johnson dropped it, which caused Jim Mora to literally fall to his knees in angst. It's very obvious, especially given how none of the other three QBs were poor today, how good Rosen is.
-Logan Sweet had a huge day at receiver, starting 11-on-11s off with a touchdown after he broke Fabian Moreau's tackle. He had several more catches in 11-on-11s, and in 1-on-1s, he won most of his reps there too. With Devin Lucien gone and Eldridge Massington hurting, Sweet's getting big playing time out here and is making the most of it.
-I had Ka'imi Fairbairn at a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points today and 1-for-2 on field goals (52 make, 50 miss).
-Aaron Sharp caught his first touchdown in live action, catching a 40-yarder from Asiantii Woulard. He's a very good receiver prospect and improves every day out here.
-Matt Dickerson was once again a beast on the defensive line today, and he worked Kenny Lacy pretty good, especially early in 11-on-11s. I also thought Takkarist McKinley found some nice penetration early in the scrimmage as well.
-Najee Toran earned his first sack as a D-lineman today and nearly had another one earlier in the scrimmage too. He's really come on strong the past few practices.
-Mossi Johnson had the crowd going crazy today with some acrobatic catches. His first grab was a beauty, diving with his left hand to haul in a Woulard throw on Tahaan Goodman. He nearly had another diving grab for a touchdown, and then later in the day, he had a touchdown in 11-on-11s from Neuheisel that was highlight-worthy as well. It's a close competition between he and Jordan Payton for best wideouts on this team now.
-In 1-on-1s, I thought all of these guys stood out: Fabian Moreau, Marcus Rios, Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte and Alex Van Dyke. I don't think any of them lost reps today.
-Denzel Fisher had a solid practice today, recording an interception in 1-on-1s, stepping in front of Jordan Lasley for the pick. Like Mora said, he's too handsy and grabby, but if he figures it out, he could be OK here.
-I saw Conor McDermott get beat twice today by Aaron Wallace and Deon Hollins. It was the first time this month I've seen him give up anything. He still had the block of the day, though, pancaking Kenny Young some 10 yards off the football.
-Tahaan Goodman had the lone interception of 11-on-11s, picking off a Mike Fafaul pass that was late and behind over the middle.
-Cam Griffin had a sack today on Kolton Miller and has really had a heck of a spring camp so far. He's put on a lot of good weight and should be in the two-deep at OLB all season.
-Myles Jack and Kenny Young combined for about 25 tackles today. Those two in the middle are scary, particularly behind Eddie Vanderdoes and Kenny Clark.
-One last player that deserves some mention here is tight end Colby Cyburt, who's filling in for Chris Clark while the big TE is in high school. Cyburt caught a 35-yard TD from Fafaul late in practice and has surprisingly not been bad through seven practices so far.
-2015 signees Keisean Lucier-South, Josh Wariboko, Andre James and Cordell Broadus were all at practice today.
UCLA practices next on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
-It was a big day on the recruiting front with the nation's No. 1 overall player, quarterback Jacob Eason, attending practice. Four-star QB Devon Modster, who's set to commit later this month, was also at practice. Four-star DL Wole Betiku, four-star ATH Melquise Stovall and 2015 DL Kyon Clark all also attended as well.
-UCLA broke out more Devin Fuller trickery today, and on the first play of the scrimmage, the wideout hit Roosevelt Davis for a long gain on a receiver pass. Based on the past two practices, UCLA is clearly trying to make him a wrinkle this year.
-The starting units were the same on both sides of the ball this morning. Tahaan Goodman filled in for Randall Goforth, who's still injured. All four quarterbacks rotated with the ones as well.
-Speaking of the quarterbacks, it was a very good day for all of them, but Josh Rosen was the standout yet again. I had him at 8-for-13 for 99 yards and a touchdown with no picks in 11-on-11s. Yet numbers aside, he was brilliant in the pocket. His feel for pressure and his feet to get away from it were something seriously special. He had several throws today that were jaw-dropping too. A perfectly placed out route to Thomas Duarte, a 3rd-and-long deep ball to Roosevelt Davis and another big 3rd-and-long conversion had the crowd cheering this morning. He nearly had another huge 3rd-and-long conversion to Mossi Johnson late in drills, but Johnson dropped it, which caused Jim Mora to literally fall to his knees in angst. It's very obvious, especially given how none of the other three QBs were poor today, how good Rosen is.
-Logan Sweet had a huge day at receiver, starting 11-on-11s off with a touchdown after he broke Fabian Moreau's tackle. He had several more catches in 11-on-11s, and in 1-on-1s, he won most of his reps there too. With Devin Lucien gone and Eldridge Massington hurting, Sweet's getting big playing time out here and is making the most of it.
-I had Ka'imi Fairbairn at a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points today and 1-for-2 on field goals (52 make, 50 miss).
-Aaron Sharp caught his first touchdown in live action, catching a 40-yarder from Asiantii Woulard. He's a very good receiver prospect and improves every day out here.
-Matt Dickerson was once again a beast on the defensive line today, and he worked Kenny Lacy pretty good, especially early in 11-on-11s. I also thought Takkarist McKinley found some nice penetration early in the scrimmage as well.
-Najee Toran earned his first sack as a D-lineman today and nearly had another one earlier in the scrimmage too. He's really come on strong the past few practices.
-Mossi Johnson had the crowd going crazy today with some acrobatic catches. His first grab was a beauty, diving with his left hand to haul in a Woulard throw on Tahaan Goodman. He nearly had another diving grab for a touchdown, and then later in the day, he had a touchdown in 11-on-11s from Neuheisel that was highlight-worthy as well. It's a close competition between he and Jordan Payton for best wideouts on this team now.
-In 1-on-1s, I thought all of these guys stood out: Fabian Moreau, Marcus Rios, Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte and Alex Van Dyke. I don't think any of them lost reps today.
-Denzel Fisher had a solid practice today, recording an interception in 1-on-1s, stepping in front of Jordan Lasley for the pick. Like Mora said, he's too handsy and grabby, but if he figures it out, he could be OK here.
-I saw Conor McDermott get beat twice today by Aaron Wallace and Deon Hollins. It was the first time this month I've seen him give up anything. He still had the block of the day, though, pancaking Kenny Young some 10 yards off the football.
-Tahaan Goodman had the lone interception of 11-on-11s, picking off a Mike Fafaul pass that was late and behind over the middle.
-Cam Griffin had a sack today on Kolton Miller and has really had a heck of a spring camp so far. He's put on a lot of good weight and should be in the two-deep at OLB all season.
-Myles Jack and Kenny Young combined for about 25 tackles today. Those two in the middle are scary, particularly behind Eddie Vanderdoes and Kenny Clark.
-One last player that deserves some mention here is tight end Colby Cyburt, who's filling in for Chris Clark while the big TE is in high school. Cyburt caught a 35-yard TD from Fafaul late in practice and has surprisingly not been bad through seven practices so far.
-2015 signees Keisean Lucier-South, Josh Wariboko, Andre James and Cordell Broadus were all at practice today.
UCLA practices next on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
