UCLA Bruins

Among UCLA's weaknesses? Experience at quarterback

Published Jul. 21, 2015 1:48 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

UCLA has a lot going for it heading into the 2015 season.

A brash coach in Jim Mora who finally appears to have molded the Bruins from their "gutty little Bruins" days to a more physically imposing contender. UCLA also counts on experience on both the offensive and defensive lines, along with depth and brut strength in the secondary. 

But if there's one glaring weakness, it has to be at quarterback.

Nobody will ever forget Jerry Neuheisel's heroic performance against Texas at AT&T Stadium. He etched himself in Bruins lore that day with a gritty performance to bring back a UCLA team that for the first time was forced to play without Brett Hundley because of an elbow injury early in the game. But aside from that game, Neuheisel's experience in valuable time is largely nonexistence, much less for the guys behind him. Josh Rosen, the nation's top-ranked quarterback and huge coup for UCLA's incoming recruiting class, is largely considered to be the favorite to take the starting reigns after a successful spring camp. But therein lies the challenge.

Bleacher Report's Jason Fray has more. 

"Rosen -- a true freshman -- has obviously not competed yet on the collegiate level," Fray writes. "Fortunately for UCLA, both are mature, intelligent players. That still won't prevent potential (and probable) mistakes from happening in the future. Neither has truly faced any substantial level of adversity. Neuheisel got a taste of it a season ago, but it will be an entirely new ballgame should he find himself in a starting role."

It's one thing to be thrust into the fire for one game. It's a whole other story to take the driver's seat for an entire season.

As for Rosen, it'll depend on how he weathers the speed of the game. He's a cerebral quarterback, but whether he can manage under immerse pressure in the pocket is what will prove key.

(h/t Bleacher Report)

Photo Credit: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

share

Get more from UCLA Bruins Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

UCLA Bruins