The UCLA Bruins football team will go into the 2016 season with a lot of question marks but one question they already have an answer to. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in sophomore Josh Rosen. Now can the rest of the Bruins play consistent football for 12 games?
“Josh has a chance to be very special,” said UCLA head coach Jim Mora during Pac-12 Media Day last week in Hollywood. “He has great arm strength. He is smart and he has a great feel for the game. He can make all of the throws and it’s up to him to determine how good he really wants to be.”
The Bruins' biggest concern is replacing seven offensive starters from the 2015 team as they start their 35th season in the Rose Bowl.
“We need to develop a more consistent approach on offense and defense each week,” said Mora. “We need to stay healthy. We need to build depth along the offensive line and we need to replace three great receivers, Devin Fuller, Jordan Payton and Thomas Duarte.”
On the plus side UCLA has two outstanding offensive tackles in 6-9. 310 pound Conor McDermott and 6-9. 295 pound Kolton Miller. They also have a good group of running backs led by Soso Jamabo and Nate Starks. They moved defensive back Ishmael Adams to wide receiver and that should help the offense tremendously.
The Bruins return eight starters on defense led by defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley, Deon Hollins and Eli Ankou, linebackers Kenny Young and Jayon Brown, defensive backs Jaleel Wadood, Randall Goforth and Marcus Rios.
“The defense looks good in general,” said Mora.
“We are very excited about our opportunities this year,” said Mora. “This will be an exciting season in a very difficult Pac-12 Conference and we understand the challenges that are ahead of us.
"We are coming off a season that was a little disappointing to us but our players have had a tremendous off season and the have been working hard in the classroom, weight room and the practice field.”
Mora feels like this was the best spring he has been a part of in his five years at UCLA.
“We had a great competitive environment and our team chemistry is very good. Our players are excited to play in one of the best conferences in the nation and if you don’t bring you’re A game every week you are going to get beat.”
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