150 days still stand between UCLA football and the start of its season on Aug. 30, but preparation for the Bruins’ 2014 campaign officially begins Tuesday with the start of spring practices. UCLA will hold 14 practices before concluding spring ball with the Spring Showcase on April 26 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
While the team will be far from a finished product by the end of spring, here are three things to watch for as the Bruins get back to work.
1. Replacing Barr and Zumwalt
After ranking No. 35 in points allowed last season, UCLA’s defense took a major hit with the departure of senior linebackers Anthony Barr and Jordan Zumwalt. While it may be difficult to find players to replicate their success immediately, the Bruins do have some younger players that could still fill the holes and contribute.
Freshman Zach Whitley, a consensus four-star recruit, looks to be the most likely candidate for early playing time at linebacker and has the ability to fill either Barr’s outside spot or Zumwalt’s place on the inside. Whitley enrolled at UCLA in the winter and will participate in spring practices. Pairing him with rising sophomore linebacker Myles Jack could create a formidable young linebacker core.
Other candidates to fill the void are rising junior Kenny Orjioke and rising sophomore Isaako Savaiinaea. Orjioke finished the 2013 season with 11 tackles, two sacks and a blocked punt while Savaiinaea totaled 25 tackles. If either of these two show significant growth in the spring, UCLA might feel the loss of its top linebackers from last year a little less.
2. Running back battle
Going into last season, coach Jim Mora said he anticipated using a ‘by committee’ system for his running backs, but that soon morphed into a two-back system mainly featuring rising redshirt senior Jordon James and rising redshirt sophomore Paul Perkins. Jack also stepped in during the latter half of the year and contributed, but his future with the team seems to lie primarily on the defensive side of the ball.
While UCLA’s returning running backs were solid last season, none were overly dominant, meaning another year of ‘by committee’ could be a possibility. Spring practices will allow a chance for players to separate themselves from the pack and prove themselves worthy of a starting nod.
One player to keep an eye on will be rising redshirt freshman Craig Lee. A four-star recruit out of high school, Lee could have the talent to challenge for a starting role, or at least a membership of the committee.
3. Development of first-years
UCLA’s 2013 recruiting class was one of its strongest in years. Now, as the freshmen either head into their second years or finish redshirting, spring practices will give them a chance to take another step toward reaching their potential.
On the offensive line, players to watch include rising sophomores Alex Redmond and Caleb Benenoch, as well as rising redshirt freshman Poasi Moala, who came to UCLA as a four-star recruit.
Rising redshirt freshman Eldridge Massington, a track star in high school, could become a consistent deep threat at wide receiver for rising redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley, an area the team had limited success with last year.
Defensively, if rising sophomore defensive linemen Eddie Vanderdoes, Kenny Clark and Kylie Fitts continue to show development this spring, the Bruins’ defensive front could prove to be dominant next season.
UCLA has a wealth of young talent, and spring practice will provide the perfect opportunity to maximize their, and the Bruins’, potential.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.