Toward the end of the third quarter of last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl, with Miami trailing Louisville 29-2, Hurricanes running back Dallas Crawford carried the ball up the middle and was stuffed for no gain.
Two plays later, on fourth down, a Louisville defender ran untouched through a hole that would’ve fit an 18-wheeler and sacked Miami quarterback Stephen Morris.
Miami couldn’t run, couldn’t block, couldn’t pass, could hardly move the ball – and there wasn’t anything Malcolm Bunche could do about it.
The then-redshirt junior tackle stood on the sidelines watching it all, and knew it was time. After four years in Coral Gables, Fla., he knew that the game would be his last in his up-and–down career as a Hurricane.
Having started 12 games at left tackle in 2012, Bunche’s playing time dwindled under new offensive coordinator James Coley. He started just one game a year ago – the season opener against Florida Atlantic – and he played sporadically at guard and served on the field goal unit. He didn’t play a single snap in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
“I knew from that point on, it was time for a change,” Bunche said. “I wanted to help my team more than anything, but I also wanted to see the field. … I felt like I deserved more and I just didn’t get it.”
A little more than two weeks after what would be his final game at the university, Bunche announced his intention to transfer from Miami. Because he had already earned his degree, Bunche would be eligible to play in the upcoming season and enroll as a redshirt senior-graduate transfer at whatever school he chose.
Hungry for a chance to showcase his ability, Bunche left South Beach and took his talent to the hills of Westwood.
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At 6 feet 6 inches and 310 pounds, with a deep measured voice, Bunche has the look, sound and ability of an NFL offensive lineman. Despite his sparse playing time, he received a fourth-round projection from the NFL Draft Advisory Board this past winter.
So why, after an unsatisfying stay in Miami and the chance to join the professional ranks, is Bunche at UCLA?
“I felt like I could be better than a fourth-round pick,” Bunche said. “(And) I love college football, who doesn’t? It’s another opportunity for me to get better, and get my graduate degree.”
Bunche’s wish list was pretty simple. He didn’t care what position he played – guard or tackle, left or right – he just wanted to play.
A little more than 2,300 miles away from Miami, UCLA pounced. The Bruins were desperate for an experienced offensive lineman after allowing the third-most sacks of any FBS team.
Eager to find a place where he could finally contribute, Bunche quickly settled on the Bruins.
“To feel wanted and to come to a program that is building and on the rise,” Bunche said. “I just felt like I could’ve been that piece, or one piece, another piece to add to the puzzle.”
The plan when Bunche arrived in spring, according to coach Jim Mora, was for him to play guard. But with injuries mounting at tackle just three days into the team’s camp in San Bernardino, Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm came to Bunche and told him he would be lining up at the pivotal left tackle position.
Though he had played the position at Miami, Bunche had only lined up at right guard in his time with UCLA. Without taking a single rep at the position in his time as a Bruin prior to the day, Bunche didn’t miss an assignment.
“I think we (have) found our left tackle,” Klemm said.
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In a span of less than a year, Bunche has gone from a part-time role player at guard to the starting left tackle for the No. 7 team in the nation, charged with protecting the blind side of a possible Heisman candidate.
It’s an opportunity he has long hoped for. But perhaps the biggest impact Bunche provides to the Bruins is one far beyond Xs and Os.
Despite not yet having suited up for the team, Bunche has emerged as a leader for one of UCLA’s most important position groups, a stark change for a player who was on the bench and feeling disillusioned a year ago.
“He’s a grown man. He’s mature, a lot different than some of the other guys,” Klemm said. “He, along with (redshirt junior center) Jake (Brendel), brings something to the table in terms of leadership and I’m appreciative of that.”
When the offensive line hits the practice field, Bunche reminds his teammates to practice their right and left stances to prepare them to play on each side of the line. And when freshman tackle Kolton Miller was having trouble understanding the playbook, Bunche sat down with the young lineman one-on-one. In an hour, Miller had it down.
“He’s a natural leader. He goes out here and works hard every day, so its easy to look over at him working and it keeps the guys going,” said sophomore guard Alex Redmond. “He just goes out there and does his job really well, helps coach us young guys up. It’s really nice to have him in the room.”
And Bunche is happy to be there. After a discouraging year in Miami, Bunche enters this season with a chip on his shoulder, grateful to finally have a chance to show what he can do.
“I feel like this is my time to shine. I don’t want to sound selfish – I’m a team guy,” Bunche said. “(But) I feel like it’s a new slate for me and I’m really excited.”