UCLA Football: 5 Players Who Have Surprised Us in 2014

Jim Mora and the No. 10 UCLA football team have gotten off to a 3-0 start with little in the way of comfortable positioning. None of the three victories were decisive by any stretch of the imagination. Regardless, the Bruins found a way to remain undefeated. 

In terms of personnel, there are five surprises—both positive and negative—through the first three games. Two of the players in question have been mild disappointments up to this current point. 

The other three athletes have pleasantly played above their respective ceilings heading into the season. 

Here are five players who've surprised thus far for the Bruins in 2014.

Deon Hollins

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Defensive end Deon Hollins

Although he has only one registered sack on the season, sophomore Deon Hollins has been UCLA's best pass-rusher through the first three contests. 

Hollins makes up for his relative lack of size with an incredible first step. His quickness off the edge has given tackles absolute fits. Against Texas, he was virtually held on every other play.

It's a welcomed sight for a team in desperate need of pass-rushing capabilities. UCLA has only managed three sacks through its first three games. 

Hollins is a surprise due to the fact he played sparingly last season as a true freshman. However, he does have the look of being a real threat rushing the quarterback. Expect his sack totals to increase as the season progresses.

Devin Lucien

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WR Devin Lucien

Expected to take the mantle from Shaq Evans as the go-to receiver for Brett Hundley, Devin Lucien has been very quiet to start the 2014 season. 

The Crespi High School product has 10 catches through three games. It isn't a poor total, but the 10 receptions have registered only 44 receiving yards. The 4.4 yards-per-catch average is shockingly low for Lucien, who averaged 17.8 yards per reception a season ago. 

UCLA desperately needs a receiver to stretch the field vertically—and unfortunately for Bruins fans, Lucien hasn't been able to do that. As the season progresses, it'll be interesting to see if he can get his proverbial footing within the offense.

If not, younger receivers such as Eldridge Massington and Kenny Walker could cut into his playing time.

Fabian Moreau

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Corner Fabian Moreau

Fabian Moreau has arguably been the biggest disappointment through the first three games of the season. In reality, the disappointment largely stems from the immense expectations placed upon his shoulders by his head coach.

This past April, Mora was particularly effusive in his praise of the junior corner. Per Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News, Moreau was dubbed as a potential All-American and as a future first-round NFL draft pick. 

The former tailback has yet to flash this level of play in 2014. Against Virginia in the opener, he was beaten on a long passing play for a touchdown. Against Memphis (and to an extent versus Texas), he's been suspect in coverage.

Moreau simply hasn't displayed the same sort of ability he did in fall camp. Dating back to this past August, Daily Bruin reporter Chris Kalra believed Moreau "unequivocally [proved] himself as one of UCLA's best players."

Per Everett Cook of the Los Angeles Times, Mora and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich aren't too worried. Regardless, his play has been a surprising disappointment up to this point.

Jerry Neuheisel

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QB Jerry Neuheisel

In 1984, a slender walk-on quarterback with floppy blonde hair led the Bruins to a Rose Bowl victory over Illinois. 

His name was Rick Neuheisel. 

Fast-forward 30 years to the present. A slender quarterback with floppy blonde hair led the Bruins to a huge victory over the Texas Longhorns. 

His name is Jerry Neuheisel. 

It's absolutely eerie to see the similarities between father and son. It's never an easy thing to be a reserve quarterback, thrust into a role in which adversity is instantly apparent. Neuheisel needed to lift his team to victory against a very proud program in what was virtually a road game. 

He was able to do just that. His beautiful throw late in the fourth quarter to Jordan Payton truly did cement the younger Neuheisel's legacy as a Bruin. 

Rick Neuheisel's former head coach and UCLA great Terry Donahue told Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times, "It was like I was in one of those 'Back to the Future' movies. Everything Rick did for us, Jerry was doing on that stage Saturday night. Either I was in a time machine, or I was having a senior moment."

Paul Perkins

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Running back Paul Perkins

Jordon James was the incumbent starter at tailback heading into the season. 

After three games, Paul Perkins has firmly ripped away the starting gig. Perkins leads the Bruins with 101.3 yards per game on the ground. Against Texas, the Queen Creek, Arizona native was excellent. 

He not only rushed for 126 yards, but he also led the Bruins with five grabs for 69 yards. Perkins runs with authority, often breaking tackles with his low pad level. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him that much more dangerous. 

Perkins is the unquestioned top back on the roster. His success will undoubtedly help to ease the pressure on Hundley in the run game. If Perkins can continue to run the ball well, Hundley will theoretically shoulder less of the load running the football. As a result, the potential for injury lessens.