by Ross Coleman - Contributing Editor
August 27, 2009 22:50
With the season a little over a week away it is time to do some previewing. This week we will start with the offense and then move on to the defense and special teams next week.
Overview:
Last season saw UCLA struggle mightily on offense. Kevin Craft threw a school record 20 interceptions. The running game failed to produce a hundred yard rusher in any game last year. The offensive line was in a word atrocious. Although there was talent at the receiver position, because of the rest of the offensive weaknesses, they failed to make much of a difference.
A year and a top 15 recruiting class later brings some weapons to the ever dangerous Norm Chows arsenal. With many position battles ongoing and an infusion of speed and strength the team will be markedly better than the team that ranked 116 out of 119 teams in rushing, 73 in passing offense, 111 in total offense, and 110 in scoring offense.
Quarterback:
The starting quarterback this year is not Kevin Craft. That right there is reason enough to be excited for the season. Craft had an awful season last year, but it was not all his fault. Redshirt freshman Kevin Prince was given every opportunity this spring to win the starting quarterback job and that is just what he did, beating out Craft, a senior, and freshman Richard Brehaut, who enrolled early to compete for the job. Despite having a less than stellar spring, Prince was tabbed the starter and since the end of spring practice has done everything in his power to get better.
This season will be an up and down year for Prince. He has shown the ability to make all of the thrown necessary to be a fantastic quarterback, but he has also shown that he can get rattled under pressure. Going against the defense that he did all spring makes it understandable, but against the front seven of someone like USC it could be a little troubling.
Despite only being a redshirt freshman, I think Prince will be a capable game manager if the offensive line gives him some time. He does not suffer the same affliction Craft does when it comes to turning the ball over but he is still young and will need time to mature.
Runningbacks:
The big news this week was that redshirt freshman Jonathan Franklin has taken over as the number one back on the depth chart, leaping both junior Christian Ramirez and sophomore Derrick Coleman. I am excited to see Franklin this year. He is a speedy back that has shown the ability to break tackles and has enough breakaway speed to be a homerun threat for the Bruins.
Coleman will also be a big part of the running game this year. At 230 pounds and 4.5 40 speed, he is the rare combination of size and speed UCLA hasn't had since the days of Skip Hicks and DeShaun Foster. Coleman and Franklin could be a solid combo for the Bruins for the next few years. Dare I say a poor mans Reggie Bush and Lendale White combo that Norm Chow had at USC.
The two relative unknown backs that will also look for carries this year are redshirt freshman Milton Knox and true freshman Damien Thigpen. Knox is a small, shifty back in the mold of Maurice Jones- Drew. Knox does not have the same speed Jones-Drew had but when he runs with a purpose it is difficult to keep him out of the lineup. Thigpen is the burner. He has speed that UCLA has never really had. Thigpen ran a 4.28 40 this spring for the Bruins. It is likely that Thigpen will not redshirt and will instead lineup all over the place, kick return, wide receiver, and running back. Thigpen also had a legendary ability to block kicks in high school.
Wide receiver:
The wide receiver group the Bruins have puts them near the top of the Pac-10 as far as depth and skill. Senior Terrance Austin returns after breaking the record for all-purpose yards a season ago. Austin will again be relied upon to provide leadership to the offense and to a relatively young group of pass catchers. Lining up on the other side from Austin is Taylor Embree who set freshman school receiving records for yards and receptions a year ago. Embree is a year older and stronger. His route running ability is great and he catches everything thrown at him. Look for Prince to rely heavily of Embree this year.
Gavin Ketchum brings more senior leadership to the receivers and a huge target in the redzone. If Nelson Rosario can put together a consistent effort in his sophomore season, the Bruins will have a huge target with great leaping ability. Rosario can look like the best player on the field one play then the worst the next.
The two true freshmen coach Rick Neuheisel brought in should provide some depth and excitement to the receiving corps for the next few years. Randall Carroll ran the fastest 100 yard dash in California in the past 30 years as a senior last year. His hands are improving and if he sees the field he gives Prince a deep threat in the same mold as Freddie Mitchell. The only difference is that Carroll can run better routes than Mitchell could. The other freshman is Ricky Marvray. Marvray showed this fall that he is mature beyond his years. He is a fantastic route runner and catches everything thrown at him. He will be a sure handed target for a long time. Marvray is likely to redshirt this year unless injuries bring him off the scout team.
Tight Ends:
I am going to go out on a limb and say that the Bruins have the best tight end group in the nation. Seniors Logan Paulsen and Ryan Moya compliment each other well. Paulsen is the bigger guy, creates more mismatches, and is a load to bring down. Moya is the faster, more agile and better pass catcher.
There three other guys looking to make an impact as tight ends this year. Sophomore Cory Harkey who provides a solid combo of pass catching and blocking ability. Redshirt sophomore Nate Chandler has changed from tight end to tackle more times than a super model with an eating problem. But Chandler has found a home at tight end and has shown soft enough hands to be a threat in the passing game. True freshman Morrell Presley is the x factor. Not really a tight end, not really a wide receiver, but a threat either way. Presley will be a factor from day one. His size and speed combo is comparable to Marcedes Lewis but he just isn't the same size. If Presley can catch the ball consistently he is an All-American in the making.
Offensive line:
The biggest question mark at UCLA in a long time. The starting lineup has been set though. The problem is the lack of experience. At left tackle, protecting Prince's blindside, is true freshman Xavier Su'a-Filo. Su'a-Filo was a signing day gift. The coaching staff hoped that he could come in a start from day one and he hasn't disappointed. Hopefully he will show that he is strong enough to stand up to Pac-10 defenses.
At left guard fellow freshman Stan Hasiak will be helping Su'a-Filo hold down the left side of the line. Hasiak is already one of the strongest linemen at UCLA and has shown his mean streak. Hasiak and S'ua-Filo are the future of the UCLA line, if they are as good as advertised, Neuheisel can look forward to a long career at UCLA.
At center, the Bruins found a good one in redshirt sophomore Kai Maiava. Maiava was a freshman all-American at Colorado before transferring to UCLA when CU tried to turn him into a fullback. Maiava will be a solid player and a huge upgrade from a year ago.
At right guard junior college transfer Eddie Williams takes over for Nick Ekbatani who was the only player to start all 12 games on the line last year. It really speaks volume to the fact that Ekbatani was one of the best linemen last year and will not be starting this year. Williams is big body with quick feet. He has also shown a mean streak and will hopefully add some strength to the line this year.
At right tackle sophomore Jeff Baca is the only player to start at all last year to return to the starting line this year. Baca did a decent job playing both guard and tackle a year ago. The thought is that he will move inside and take over for Williams once he graduates but if he continues to flourish at tackle is seems that he has a good chance to stick there.
In the end, the offensive line will be much better this year. The freshmen may provide some headaches but next year it will be comforting to know that they have experience. The line is very young but that just means that they will be together longer.
Verdict:
The Bruins will be better this year on offense. Now better may still not be all that great but I think they will rank in the top 50 in most categories. The biggest thing that we should be looking for this year from the Bruins offense is a better time of possession and better yards per carry by the running backs. If those two things happen then the team will be successful.