Hello all, I had some spare time and decided to do a small, amateur preview of Spring Ball. Here is the offensive side of the ball. Looking forward to see what the new offensive coaching staff can do with the existing talent.
UCLA’s offense is without a doubt, a major reason that UCLA had a lackluster season last year. The unit still finished 19th overall in passing offense. However, the lack of balance (UCLA finished second to last in rushing offense) led to defenses being able to tee off on UCLA quarterbacks all season long. Major focus of the coaching staff should be finding the right combination on the offensive line and schemes that can protect the QB and opens holes for the running backs already on the roster.
Quarterbacks:
What does the position lose? UCLA loses its backup quarterback Mike Fafaul, who valiantly filled in for Josh Rosen after he went down. Playing in 11 games, starting 6 and completing 139 passes out of 259 attempts. Finished the year with 1602 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
What returns? Not much experience outside of Josh Rosen, whom finished the previous season 137/231 with 1915 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 6 games. Should be noted that both quarterbacks would have finished the year with more yards and touchdowns if it were not for some untimely dropped passes.
Starter: Josh Rosen
Backups: Modster, Lynch, Lee, Burton, Walk-ons
Key Focus: The biggest focus in the quarterback room going into Spring Ball will be the health of Josh Rosen. If UCLA is going to do anything substantial this year, Rosen is going to need to be healthy. For what it’s worth, Josh looks stronger around his upper body during the USC, UCLA Men’s basketball telecast.
Biggest objective: Leave Spring ball with a clear cut backup quarterback. The biggest issue during the Mora regime has been the inability to recruit a decent backup quarterback. UCLA got lucky with the health of Brett Hundley, but last season shows how difficult relying on walk on’s can be. Developing a solid backup during Spring ball is something Jedd Fisch has to focus on. If Rosen ends up being brought back from injury slowly, then this should allow Fisch to have an extended look at both Lynch and Modster.
Keep an eye on: Dymond Lee, should be interesting to see if he even starts Spring at QB or whether he makes the move to WR. Austin Burton should be on campus by spring ball so someone else to keep an eye on.
Running Backs:
Comment: By far the most underperforming position on the offensive side. Having a running back coach that is just focused on coaching should help this group out. Getting more out of the scheme and offensive line will also help.
What does this position lose? Nothing really.
What returns?
Senior Nate Starks, (281 yds 3.3 avg, and 1 TD)
Junior’s Soso Jamabo (321 yds, 3.9 avg and 3 TD’s)
Bolu Olunrunfunmi (280 yds, 3.9 avg and 4 TD’s)
Sophmores Brandon Stephens (95 yards only running back not to lose yards all season!, 5 avg, 0TD
Jalen Starks (77 yds, 3 avg and 2 TD’s).
Starter: to be determined
Backups: whomever does not start probably gets their fair share or carries.
Key Focus: In reality, there are many issues to sort out. UCLA running backs are a talented group, but underperformed much of last season. There were some holes that were missed, but a majority of the time these players had nowhere to run. Coach Foster will want to identify his starter and rotation going into Fall camp. One of the issues last season was the abundance of rotation, which prevented any of the running backs to get a groove. Getting back the players into their 15’ form will be key for the offense.
Keep an Eye on: the development of Brandon Stephens as I personally think he is the most talented back on UCLA’s roster. Also, should be interesting to see if UCLA moves Demetric Felton to running back to provide a change of back. Darnay Holmes should see some time in the backfield as well. Finally, there is the possibility that one or two running backs leave, although I’d wager on Starks transferring is someone indeed does leave.
Wide Receivers:
Comment: Another position group that has some talent, with maybe one elite talent in Theo Howard. I fully expect Theo Howard, Jordan Lasley and Darren Andrews to be the top receivers after Spring camp is over.
What does the position lose?
UCLA loses its top speed threat in Kenny Walker (11 games played, 9 starts: 22 receptions, 365 yds, 16.6 avg and 4 TD’s)
Ish Adams (11 games played, 2 starts: 20 receptions, 178 yds 8.9 avg and 0 TDs, 30 rushing yards).
What returns?
Darren Andrews (12 games played, 7 starts: 55 receptions, 709 yds, 12.9 avg, 4 TD)
Jordan Lasley (11 games played, 4 starts: 41 receptions, 620 yards, 15.1 avg 5 TD)
Eldridge Massington (9 games played, 7 starts 20 receptions, 285 yards, 14.2 avg 0 TD)
Theo Howard (8 games played, 2 starts: 12 receptions, 88 yards, 7.3 avg, 1 TD)
Mossi Johnson (8 games played, 0 starts: 3 receptions, 55 yards 19.3 avg 1 TD)
Alex Van Dyke (11 games played, 0 starts 3 receptions, 19 yards, 6.3 avg, 0TD)
Redshirts incoming to the mix:
Stephen Johnson the 3rd should come in and fill the speed void left by Kenny Walker. Demetric Felton, Damian Alloway should push for time along the slot. Omotosho should push Massington and AVD for time on the outside.
Key focus: Find definitive starters at slot and outside receiver positions. Integrate Dymond Lee to receivers if possible and get Darnay some reps at receiver if possible.
Keep an eye on: Mossi Johnson, possibility that he moves to defense due to the lack of safeties on the defensive side. Has played some spot downs for UCLA there in the past.
Tight Ends:
Comment: Perhaps the most surprising group out of UCLA last season. Production was good and UCLA will want to develop this position further to add more versatility to its scheme.
Loses: Nate Iese (10 GP, 10 GS: 25 receptions, 400 yds, 16 avg 4 TD’s)
Returns:
Caleb Wilson (12 GP: 1 GS: 16 receptions, 220 yds, 13.8 avg, 0 TD)
Austin Roberts (11 GP: 3 GS: 15 receptions, 261 yds, 17.4 avg, 1TD)
Giovanni Gentoi (R-Junior)
Jordan Wilson (R-Freshman)
Key focus: Continue to develop Roberts and the Wilsons. Have heard to Mosses Robinson Carr may be a possibility for Spring ball so that would add another tight end to the mix.
Offensive line:
Loses: starting left tackle Connor McDermott and backup guard Christian Garcia.
Returns:
Mostly everyone that featured in the offensive line last year. A year of experience and one more year in the Strength and Conditioning program should help players this coming season. Scott Quessenberry looked larger at the USC/UCLA game than I recall him being last season.
Expected lineup:
Hard to do a projection due to the lack of knowing what Coach Hank Fraley wants to do. It is possible that he decides to move players around. However, I think Quessenberry and Miller will both be starting Center and Left Tackle. The rest of the offensive line is up in the air. Possible that Fraley gives Lacy a shot at at tackle and moves James inside where he projects better. Either way, expect players such as Perez, Moala, Alves and Wariboko to push for time. UCLA can only hope that players develop in the offseason or that the light flickers on with some of the players that were in the two deep last year, competition is always good. Finally, look for UCLA to get into the grad transfer market, whether that works out or not is TBD.
UCLA’s offense is without a doubt, a major reason that UCLA had a lackluster season last year. The unit still finished 19th overall in passing offense. However, the lack of balance (UCLA finished second to last in rushing offense) led to defenses being able to tee off on UCLA quarterbacks all season long. Major focus of the coaching staff should be finding the right combination on the offensive line and schemes that can protect the QB and opens holes for the running backs already on the roster.
Quarterbacks:
What does the position lose? UCLA loses its backup quarterback Mike Fafaul, who valiantly filled in for Josh Rosen after he went down. Playing in 11 games, starting 6 and completing 139 passes out of 259 attempts. Finished the year with 1602 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
What returns? Not much experience outside of Josh Rosen, whom finished the previous season 137/231 with 1915 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 6 games. Should be noted that both quarterbacks would have finished the year with more yards and touchdowns if it were not for some untimely dropped passes.
Starter: Josh Rosen
Backups: Modster, Lynch, Lee, Burton, Walk-ons
Key Focus: The biggest focus in the quarterback room going into Spring Ball will be the health of Josh Rosen. If UCLA is going to do anything substantial this year, Rosen is going to need to be healthy. For what it’s worth, Josh looks stronger around his upper body during the USC, UCLA Men’s basketball telecast.
Biggest objective: Leave Spring ball with a clear cut backup quarterback. The biggest issue during the Mora regime has been the inability to recruit a decent backup quarterback. UCLA got lucky with the health of Brett Hundley, but last season shows how difficult relying on walk on’s can be. Developing a solid backup during Spring ball is something Jedd Fisch has to focus on. If Rosen ends up being brought back from injury slowly, then this should allow Fisch to have an extended look at both Lynch and Modster.
Keep an eye on: Dymond Lee, should be interesting to see if he even starts Spring at QB or whether he makes the move to WR. Austin Burton should be on campus by spring ball so someone else to keep an eye on.
Running Backs:
Comment: By far the most underperforming position on the offensive side. Having a running back coach that is just focused on coaching should help this group out. Getting more out of the scheme and offensive line will also help.
What does this position lose? Nothing really.
What returns?
Senior Nate Starks, (281 yds 3.3 avg, and 1 TD)
Junior’s Soso Jamabo (321 yds, 3.9 avg and 3 TD’s)
Bolu Olunrunfunmi (280 yds, 3.9 avg and 4 TD’s)
Sophmores Brandon Stephens (95 yards only running back not to lose yards all season!, 5 avg, 0TD
Jalen Starks (77 yds, 3 avg and 2 TD’s).
Starter: to be determined
Backups: whomever does not start probably gets their fair share or carries.
Key Focus: In reality, there are many issues to sort out. UCLA running backs are a talented group, but underperformed much of last season. There were some holes that were missed, but a majority of the time these players had nowhere to run. Coach Foster will want to identify his starter and rotation going into Fall camp. One of the issues last season was the abundance of rotation, which prevented any of the running backs to get a groove. Getting back the players into their 15’ form will be key for the offense.
Keep an Eye on: the development of Brandon Stephens as I personally think he is the most talented back on UCLA’s roster. Also, should be interesting to see if UCLA moves Demetric Felton to running back to provide a change of back. Darnay Holmes should see some time in the backfield as well. Finally, there is the possibility that one or two running backs leave, although I’d wager on Starks transferring is someone indeed does leave.
Wide Receivers:
Comment: Another position group that has some talent, with maybe one elite talent in Theo Howard. I fully expect Theo Howard, Jordan Lasley and Darren Andrews to be the top receivers after Spring camp is over.
What does the position lose?
UCLA loses its top speed threat in Kenny Walker (11 games played, 9 starts: 22 receptions, 365 yds, 16.6 avg and 4 TD’s)
Ish Adams (11 games played, 2 starts: 20 receptions, 178 yds 8.9 avg and 0 TDs, 30 rushing yards).
What returns?
Darren Andrews (12 games played, 7 starts: 55 receptions, 709 yds, 12.9 avg, 4 TD)
Jordan Lasley (11 games played, 4 starts: 41 receptions, 620 yards, 15.1 avg 5 TD)
Eldridge Massington (9 games played, 7 starts 20 receptions, 285 yards, 14.2 avg 0 TD)
Theo Howard (8 games played, 2 starts: 12 receptions, 88 yards, 7.3 avg, 1 TD)
Mossi Johnson (8 games played, 0 starts: 3 receptions, 55 yards 19.3 avg 1 TD)
Alex Van Dyke (11 games played, 0 starts 3 receptions, 19 yards, 6.3 avg, 0TD)
Redshirts incoming to the mix:
Stephen Johnson the 3rd should come in and fill the speed void left by Kenny Walker. Demetric Felton, Damian Alloway should push for time along the slot. Omotosho should push Massington and AVD for time on the outside.
Key focus: Find definitive starters at slot and outside receiver positions. Integrate Dymond Lee to receivers if possible and get Darnay some reps at receiver if possible.
Keep an eye on: Mossi Johnson, possibility that he moves to defense due to the lack of safeties on the defensive side. Has played some spot downs for UCLA there in the past.
Tight Ends:
Comment: Perhaps the most surprising group out of UCLA last season. Production was good and UCLA will want to develop this position further to add more versatility to its scheme.
Loses: Nate Iese (10 GP, 10 GS: 25 receptions, 400 yds, 16 avg 4 TD’s)
Returns:
Caleb Wilson (12 GP: 1 GS: 16 receptions, 220 yds, 13.8 avg, 0 TD)
Austin Roberts (11 GP: 3 GS: 15 receptions, 261 yds, 17.4 avg, 1TD)
Giovanni Gentoi (R-Junior)
Jordan Wilson (R-Freshman)
Key focus: Continue to develop Roberts and the Wilsons. Have heard to Mosses Robinson Carr may be a possibility for Spring ball so that would add another tight end to the mix.
Offensive line:
Loses: starting left tackle Connor McDermott and backup guard Christian Garcia.
Returns:
Mostly everyone that featured in the offensive line last year. A year of experience and one more year in the Strength and Conditioning program should help players this coming season. Scott Quessenberry looked larger at the USC/UCLA game than I recall him being last season.
Expected lineup:
Hard to do a projection due to the lack of knowing what Coach Hank Fraley wants to do. It is possible that he decides to move players around. However, I think Quessenberry and Miller will both be starting Center and Left Tackle. The rest of the offensive line is up in the air. Possible that Fraley gives Lacy a shot at at tackle and moves James inside where he projects better. Either way, expect players such as Perez, Moala, Alves and Wariboko to push for time. UCLA can only hope that players develop in the offseason or that the light flickers on with some of the players that were in the two deep last year, competition is always good. Finally, look for UCLA to get into the grad transfer market, whether that works out or not is TBD.
