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Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora reacts during a 56-35 loss against the Stanford Cardinal in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2016 UCLA Football Preview
It has returned… UCLA Football is back and all is right in the world! This Saturday the Bruins will begin their 2016 campaign as they aim for winning the Pac-12 South, the Pac-12 Champioship Game and maybe get back to the Rose Bowl.
All summer long, Go Joe Bruin has posted information and opinions on the UCLA Football team as they gear up for the 2016 season and we have compiled it all in this season preview for your reading pleasure.
In this preview, we put together everything you need to know about the Bruins as we look at the roster, coaches, depth charts, 2015 results, the 2016 schedule and much more.
If you want to know everything about the UCLA Football team, look no further as Go Joe Bruin lays it all out for you. BOOM!
Table of Contents
1. Roster, Projcted Starting Line-Ups and Depth Charts
2. Coaching Staff
3. Key Players and Stats
4. 2016 Recruiting Class
5. 2015 Results
6. 2016 Schedule
7. 2016 Outlook
8. Ticket Information, Social Media and GJB Required Reading
Oct 3, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) rolls out to pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Roster, Projected Starting Line-Up and Depth Charts
Offense
ucla
Go Joe Bruin 1 wUCLA Football: Predicting the Starters - Defense
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RT: Kolton Miller
RG: Poasi Moala
LG: Kenny Lacy
LT: Conor McDermott
QB: Josh Rosen
RB: Soso Jamabo
FB: Ainuu Taua
TE: Nate Iese
X-WR: Kenneth Walker
Z-WR: Eldridge Massington
Slot: Darren Andrews
The offense loses several players on the line and in their receiving corps. The good news is that recruitng has been good as the Bruins have brought in players with a lot of talent that the coaches have been able to develop, and we will see a lot of that this season.
The Bruins also return super sophomore Josh Rosen who has been labeled from everything to the top Pac-12 quarterback to a potential Heisman candidate.
He will have help with the running game from RBs Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi who are all very good backs that will share ground game responsibilities and bruising defenses in the process.
Individual unit previews and projected depth charts: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers/Tight Ends, Offensive Line
Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Shaq Thompson (7) is tackled by the UCLA Bruins defense during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Defense
DT Eli Ankou
OLB Cameron Judge
MLB Kenny Young
OLB Jayon Brown
CB Nate Meadors
The defense was decimated by injuries but a few key players return to add some potency to their punch. Their biggest weapon will be upfront with Eddie Vanderdoes who will help clog the middle of the line and improve the run defense.
Moreau is the other important piece returning from injury. Like EV, his 2015 season was cut short due to injury, but is now healthy and looking to lead a deep Bruin secondary.
At the LB spots, the Bruins will benefit from a few young players who had breakout season’s last year. Expect Brown, Young, Judge and Isaako Savaiinaea to lead the charge with the linebacking crew.
Special Teams
K J.J. Molson
P Austin Kent
LS Johnny Den Bleyker
Individual unit previews and projected depth charts: Defensive Line, Linebackers, Defensive Backs, Special Teams
September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora reacts to a call during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Coaching Staff
More from Go Joe Bruin
Head Coach – Jim Mora
Defensive Coordinator – Tom Bradley
Offensive Coordinator – Kennedy Polamalu
Offensive Line Coach – Adrian Klemm
Defensive Backs Coach – Demetrice Martin
Defensive Line – Angus McClure
Tight Ends – Rip Scherer
Quarterbacks – Marques Tuiasosopo
Linebackers Coach – Scott White
Wide Receivers Coach – Eric Yarber
Strength and Conditioning Coach – Sal Alosi
The way last year ended, Mora wanted to make some improvements after the UCLA Football team failed to win nine games for the first time in his tenure. After going 8-5 (which is not bad, just not great), Mora wanted to make some off-season tweaks to better matchup against certain opponents.
Mora was forced into it when former Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone left Westwood for the same position at Texas A&M. Mora then promoted running backs coach Polamalu to OC, and with that, he made some tweaks to the offense.
Nov 8, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) West Virginia Mountaineers senior associate head coach Tom Bradley prior to kickoff against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Along with spread elements, the Bruins will now utilize fullbacks, tight ends and power formations into their game plan. Though it looked sloppy in the spring, it has been running a bit more efficiently in fall.
As for the defense, Bradley has set up his team in the 4-3 formation. Last season the Bruins were not so great at stopping the run and correcting that has be a priority.
This year they have a healthy crew with a lot of experienced players, but fundamentally the Bruins need to get into the right mind set to make improvements and the 4-3 formation is a good jumping off point.
UCLA already has one of the best pass defenses in the conference, so if they can improve the run defense, this team could be a powerhouse.
Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs with the ball while running back Paul Perkins (24) and running back Nate Meadors (22) run on the outside against the UNLV Rebels during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Key Players and Stats
Key Returners – Offense
QB Josh Rosen (292/487, 60% comp., 3,669 yards, 23 TDs)
LT Conor McDermott (12 starts in 2015)
RB Soso Jamabo (66 carries, 404 yards, 6.1 ypg, 4 TDs)
WR Darren Andrews (43 rec, 443 yards, 10.3 ypc, 1 TD)
Key Returners – Defense
DT Eddie Vanderdoes (in 2014, 50 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble)
DT Takkarist McKinley (35 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 pass def, 2 forced fumbles)
LB Jayon Brown (93 tackles, 2 for loss, 6 pass def)
CB Fabian Moreau (in 2014, 53 tackles, 3 for loss, 8 pass def)
S Randall Goforth (69 tackles, 2 INTs, 6 pass def)
Key Losses
RB Paul Perkins, C Jake Brendel, OL Caleb Benenoch, WR Jordan Payton, TE Thomas Duarte, DT Kenny Clark, LB Myles Jack, K Ka’Imi Fairbairn, P Matt Mengel
Team Stats – Offense
Category – per game stat, Pac-12 rank (Nat’l rank)
Scoring – 32.7 ppg, 7th (45th)
Rushing – 177.5 ypg, 6th (59th)
Passing – 288.4 ypg, 4th (25th)
Total – 465.9 ypg, 6th (28th)
Team Stats – Defense
Scoring – 26.0 ppg, 5th (54th)
Rushing – 198.5 ypg, 8th, (98th)
Passing – 203.7 ypg, 1st (36th)
Total – 401.7 ypg, 5th (67th)
Feb 3, 2016; Concord , CA, USA; De La Salle defensive tackle Boss Tagaloa commits to the UCLA Bruins at University of California, Los Angeles on national signing day at De La Salle High School. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
2016 Recruiting Class
It is no secret that Mora is not afraid to use true freshmen and there will be a ton of newbies seeing the field this year. With the Bruins landing several top players for a Top 10 recruiting class, many of the newest Bruins have shown they have the talent to start early.
Here is a quick look at the Bruin’s entire class of signees for 2016:
Damian Alloway, WR, Fontana, CA (Summit), 5’9”, 175, 4*
Alex Akingbulu, OT, Harbor City, CA (Narbonne), 6’5.5″, 250, 3*
Mike Alves, OG, San Diego, CA (St. Augustine), 6’5″, 300, 3*
Krys Barnes, LB, Bakersfield, CA (Liberty), 6’2″, 250, 4*
Breland Brandt, DE, Los Angeles, CA (Windward), 6’4″, 230, 4*
Brandon Burton, ATH, Garden, CA (Serra), 6’1″, 200, 4*
Jake Burton, DE, El Cajon, CA (Granite Hills), 6’5″, 270, 3*
Johnny Den Bleyker, LS, Hayward, CA (Moreau), 5’11″, 195, 2*
Demetric Felton, WR, Temecula, CA (Great Oaks), 5’10″, 180, 4*
Theo Howard, WR, Westlake Village, CA (Westlake) 6’0″, 180, 4*
Mique Juarez, LB, Torrance, CA (North), 6’2″, 250, 5*
Austin Kent, P, Charlotte, NC (Providence), 6’1″, 220, 3*
Dymond Lee, WR, West Hills, CA (Chaminade), 6’2″, 176, 4*
Matt Lynch, QB, Bloomfield, CO (Legacy), 6’4″, 220, 3*
Devon Modster, QB, Las Flores, CA (Tesoro), 6’2″, 225, 4*
J.J. Molson, K, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC (Abbott), 6’0″, 202, 3*
Marcus Moore, DE, Encino, CA (Crespi), 6’2″, 255, 3*
Chigozie Nnoruka, DE, (American River), 6’2″, 285, NR
Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Portland, OR (Douglas), 6’2″, 285, 3*
Adewale Omotosho, WR, Plano, TX (Plano East), 6’2″, 195, 4*
Francisco Perez, OG, Baldwin Park, CA (Baldwin Park), 6′ 4″, 310, 3*
Keyon Riley, S, Anaheim, CA (Servite), 6’0″, 190, 3*
Jalen Starks, FB, Encino, CA (Crespi), 6’1″, 255, 3*
Brandon Stephens, RB, Plano, TX (Plano), 6’1″, 205, 4*
Boss Tagaloa, DT, Concord, CA (De La Salle), 6’2″, 310, 4*
Nick Terry, DT, Elk Grove, CA (American River), 6’4″, 295, 3*
Leni Toailoa, S, Rialto, CA (Carter), 6’1″, 215, 3*
Lokeni Toailoa, LB, Rialto, CA (Carter), 6’2″, 250, 4*
Jordan Wilson, TE, Nashville, TN (Montgomery Bell), 6’4″, 250, 3*
*All information and rankings from Scout.com
Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) is defended by UCLA Bruins defensive back Randall Goforth (3) in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Result
8-5 overall, 5-4 Pac-12
W vs Virginia, 34-16
W at UNLV, 37-3
W vs BYU, 24-23
W at Arizona, 56-30
L vs Arizona State, 23-38
L at Stanford, 35-56
W vs California, 40-24
W vs Colorado, 35-31
W at Oregon State, 41-0
L vs Washington State, 27-31
W at Utah, 17-9
L at USC, 21-40
L vs Nebraska (Foster Farms Bowl), 29-37
More from Go Joe Bruin
The Bruins looked very good to start the season behind true freshman QB Josh Rosen. They started 4-0 which included a “grown up” win against BYU, followed by an offensive thrashing of Arizona.
Unfortunately in that time, the Bruins lost Vanderdoes, Moreau, and Myles Jack to injury, so getting into the thick of the season brought some concern. It also brought two bad losses.
As UCLA took “Ls” from ASU and Stanford, it slightly derailed them and put the Pac-12 South out of reach. Luckily a stretch of games against less talented conference teams (which still proved to be no cake walk), gave the Bruins wins and put them right back in the hunt for the South.
And then there was that last second win by Washington State that had the Bruins stumbling heading into their last two games. That made their battle with Utah one for survival. The winner still had a chance at the South Division whilst the loser would be elminiated. In a tough back-and-forth game against the Utes, the Bruins prevailed, setting up a showdown for the South Divison at USC.
That game did not go as planned.
The Bruins were run over by the Trojans, just like their South Division hopes, and were slotted for a Foster Farms Bowl match up with Nebraska who also ran over the Bruins. Losing three of their last four is not the way they wanted to end their season, but change would come for the Bruins.
UCLA rides Paul Perkins to victory against BYU. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
2016 Schedule
September 3 at Texas A&M – PREVIEW
September 10 vs UNLV – PREVIEW
September 17 at BYU – PREVIEW
September 24 vs Stanford – PREVIEW
October 1 vs Arizona – PREVIEW
October 8 at Arizona State – PREVIEW
October 15 at Washington State – PREVIEW
October 22 vs Utah – PREVIEW
November 3 (Thu) at Colorado – PREVIEW
November 12 vs Oregon State – PREVIEW
November 19 vs USC – PREVIEW
November 26 at California – PREVIEW
December 2 – Pac-12 Championship Game
Click on PREVIEW beside each game to check out GJB’s early analysis of each contest.
Jim Mora wanted to play tough teams and he got his wish. UCLA Football will play two road non-conference games that will be all-out battles. They start at Texas A&M for an all-eyes-on Pac-12/SEC showdown and then play at home against UNLV before they head out to Provo, Utah to face BYU.
And if that wasn’t tough enough, the week after they play host to Stanford, a team the Bruins have not beaten in eight tries. From then on, UCLA is going to be in a battle every week.
With the danger of losing games they should win and the overall level of talent of the conference, the Bruins have a huge task ahead of them in trying to win the South Division and return to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Don’t forget.
Commit it to memory.
Go Bruins.#UCLA #4sUp #8clap pic.twitter.com/Y1B5XHKN3u— Go Joe Bruin (@GoJoeBruinUCLA) August 25, 2016
Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora congratulates quarterback Josh Rosen (3) after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. UCLA won 56-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
2016 Outlook
Not a lot of teams can lose three of their four final games of the season, lose eight players to the NFL Draft, lose an offensive coordinator and be expected to win their division the next season, but that is the situation with the UCLA Football team.
The Bruins are re-tooling on both offense and defense in order to get to that next level. Jim Mora is 37-16 in his tenure with UCLA, though he still has a few things to prove.
Despite his success which includes back-to-back 10-win seasons and winning nine games in three consecutive seasons (the first time that has ever happened with UCLA Football), he is only 2-2 in bowl games (with the Alamo Bowl being the most prestigious they have played in) and has only won the South Division once.
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Fabian Moreau (10) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
With the success they have had in both recruiting and development, the Bruins have been Pac-12 contendors in all four of his seasons in Westwood, but now it seems time to win some meaningful hardware, whether it be a Pac-12 Championship, a Rose Bowl Game trophy or a New Year’s Six Bowl trophy.
That might be getting ahead of ourselves, though it is something for the Bruins to shoot for.
With the season starting, they need to take each game one at a time. They cannot look ahead and need to focus on the opposition for that week. With the Bruins adding power elements to the offense and thickening up the line on defense, the Bruins have the ability to properly matchup with their opponent.
Still, with a tough conference and having to navigate through that treacherous schedule, the Bruins are in for a very challenging season. If they can come out successful, then maybe they can win some meaningful hardware. If not, the discussion boards in the post-season will be very put out.
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; General view of the Rose Bowl before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Stanford Cardinal in the 2016 Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ticket Information, Social Media, Stats and GJB Required Reading
Ticket Information
Visit UCLABruins.com for information on season tickets, mini-plans, single game tickets, group plans and information on the Rose Bowl’s Blue Moon Club.
UCLA Football Social Media
Follow the Bruins in 2016 on multiple social media platforms:
Facebook: UCLA Football
Twitter: @UCLAFootball
Instagram: UCLA Football
Vine: UCLA Football
Go Joe Bruin Social Media
Follow Go Joe Bruin all season long as we bring you all the latest news and opinions on the UCLA Football team. Also join us on Twitter as we will be live tweeting every game this season!
Facebook: Go Joe Bruin
Twitter: @GoJoeBruinUCLA
Go Joe Bruin Required Reading
Go Bruins!
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