Myles Jack (30) is one heck of a runner and linebacker for UCLA. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
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Pac-12 RANK: 5
2014 RECORD: 10-3 Pac-12 RECORD: 6-3 (T-2nd, South)
STADIUM: Rose Bowl (92,542)
LOCATION: Los Angeles
COACH: Jim Mora — At UCLA and overall: 29-11, 3 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Noel Mazzone
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Tom Bradley
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1998
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2010
RETURNING STARTERS: 19; 9 offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Josh Rosen, RB Paul Perkins, WR Jordan Payton, OL Jake Brendel, NT Kenny Clark, DE Eddie Vanderdoes, LB Myles Jack, CB Ishmael Adams
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Shockingly, the offensive line. The fruits of UCLA’s recruiting labor are beginning to be realized, as the Bruins have legitimate size, strength and depth up front. Add in some electric offensive players and a defense that has taken leaps in its athleticism in the last few years, and UCLA has the raw material to win the Pac-12.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The loss of QB Brett Hundley could be mitigated by strides up front, but still, putting the keys to a potential top-10 team in the hands of a true freshman is always a worry, even if the freshman is Josh Rosen. A bigger question mark is who fills the shoes of Eric Kendricks, the Bruins’ most reliable defender for four years?
OFFENSE
UCLA bids goodbye to one-time Heisman candidate Brett Hundley after three fruitful seasons, but with Josh Rosen picking up the reins, there is room for optimism.
Optimism that the learning curve for the true freshman quarterback will be sped up because of his advanced football mind, and optimism because, finally, he may stay upright.
That was always a test for Hundley, who broke the century mark in career sacks at UCLA. He was thrust from the pocket more than loose change, playing behind an offensive line that dealt with myriad youth and injury issues. That offensive line is now a surprisingly seasoned lot, led by a steady anchor in center Jake Brendel.
Jim Mora and Co. might wait until mid-fall to officially name Rosen as starter, but that’s only to ease him into the role. Junior running back Paul Perkins will play a factor in that, too.
Perkins returns after a Pac-12-leading 1,575-yard, nine-touchdown season, the second-highest rushing yardage ranking in team history.
The Bruins lack explosiveness on the perimeter, but seasoned wideouts Jordan Payton, Eldridge Massington, Thomas Duarte and Devin Fuller form a solid group, and incoming touted tight end Chris Clark provides a new look.
DEFENSE
The Bruins’ defense might be even more complete than the offense. New coordinator Tom Bradley, a mainstay at Penn State for three decades, inherits a unit with plenty of star power, with potentially three first-round picks.
Two of them play up front — defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes and nose tackle Kenny Clark, potentially the toughest 1-2 punch at the line of scrimmage in the league. Takkarist McKinley emerged as a solid rotational player last season after transferring from junior college, and he should benefit playing alongside Vanderdoes and Clark.
The third potential first-round pick is dual-threat Myles Jack, who takes over for Eric Kendricks as the leader of the linebacker corps and will likely continue to see at least a few carries on the offensive side. Jack is UCLA’s only certifiable star on the second line as of now, but Kenny Young and Deon Hollins could become household names in the Pac-12 this season.
UCLA’s defensive backfield is led by a shining star— first-team all-conference pick Ishmael Adams — but Fabian Moreau and Jaleel Wadood are ready for their moments.
SPECIAL TEAMS
UCLA’s kicking game used to be its biggest strength. That’s as much an endorsement of the special teams as an indictment of the rest of the team.
Curiously, the kicking game has dipped, though, and UCLA hopes Ka’imi Fairbairn becomes a bit more consistent from deep.
OVERVIEW
UCLA has become one of the Pac-12’s true contenders, but the Bruins are attempting to make a major leap this season. The schedule looks manageable and expectations are high. UCLA has the talent to challenge for the Pac-12 title. One question lingers: Can the Bruins overcome youth at the most important position?
TOP NEWCOMER
QB Josh Rosen: Considered UCLA’s top quarterback recruit in program history, the local product from Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco High is projected to start from Day 1. He has a redshirt senior’s feel for the offense as a true freshman, one who graduated early to participate in spring ball.
