UCLA Football: Ranking the Top 10 Bruins from 2014 Regular Season
With the 2014 regular season in the books for the UCLA football team, the prudent thing to do would be to reflect on this past year.
There were obviously many players contributing to the 9-3 overall record. While virtually every single scholarship player had a hand in some form or another, 10 players in particular stand out above the rest.
This piece will rank the top 10 Bruins from the regular season. While the statistical outputs will be taken into account, the overall impact on the squad in all categories figures into the respective rankings. This includes the elements unable to be quantified in numeric form.
10. Eddie Vanderdoes
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After a slow start to the season, sophomore defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes really came on toward the end.
The Auburn, Calif., native finished the season with five tackles for loss and two sacks. Bringing tons of versatility to the table, Vanderdoes lined up all across the defensive front for the Bruins. At times, he was downright dominant up front—especially versus crosstown rival Southern Cal.
As he continues to get into better shape, the sky truly is the limit. His pairing with Kenny Clark in the heart of UCLA's defensive line has the potential to be the best one-two punch up front for the Bruins in over a decade.
9. Owamagbe Odighizuwa
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Owamagbe Odighizuwa put together a very solid senior campaign.
Much like Vanderdoes, "Owa" had a very strong end to the season. He finished first on the team in tackles for loss (9.5) and second in sacks (five).
His leadership for younger players such as Clark, Vanderdoes, Deon Hollins and Takk McKinley was evident. One would see him vocally helping out with the nuances of the position. Acting as a terrific teammate and productive player, Odighizuwa's presence on and off the field will be missed in 2015.
Like Clark, Anthony Jefferson, Myles Jack, Brett Hundley, Jake Brendel, Fabian Moreau and Eric Kendricks, he was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection.
8. Deon Hollins
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Deon Hollins was a revelation this year, becoming one of UCLA's best pass-rushers off the edge.
The hybrid linebacker/defensive end led the team in sacks (six) and was third in tackles for loss (seven). More than that, the Houston native accrued constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. His quickness and agility were apparent any time he was in the contest.
Hollins might not be an every-down player due to his size; however, he does possess an elite trait of getting after the quarterback. This facet is invaluable in today's game.
For this reason, he'll be an integral piece of the defense going forward for the program.
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7. Anthony Jefferson
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An intelligent football player, Anthony Jefferson was perhaps the most underrated player on the entire team this past year.
The second-team All-Pac-12 performer was third on the team in tackles with 65. Not only was he solid in coverage, but he also did a great job of tackling in space.
Jefferson's interception at Arizona State was one of the major highlight plays of the season. His ability to play as both a corner and safety (at a high level) made him the most valuable member of the UCLA secondary in 2014.
6. Myles Jack
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After a stellar freshman season, expectations were sky-high for Myles Jack.
While he certainly didn't have a disappointing season by any stretch, he didn't exactly have the same sort of impact he had as a true freshman.
Regardless, his sophomore campaign saw him accrue the second-most tackles on the team (80) and the most pass deflections (seven). Jack only carried the ball 28 times for 113 yards. Teams were gearing up for his presence in the backfield, and the novelty of his appearance on the offensive side of the ball wasn't nearly as effective as it had previously been.
However, his pass coverage skills were superb at times. Jack virtually shut down Nelson Agholor when the Bruins played the Trojans.
With Eric Kendricks headed to the NFL, Jack will now assume the role of leader within the defense heading into his junior year.
5. Kenny Clark
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Kenny Clark didn't have a massive year statistically—although nose guards don't usually put up big numbers.
The sophomore had 57 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. With that said, his impact on each and every game was considerable. When watching tape, it's plainly evident how talented Clark truly is. He combines gargantuan strength with impressive quickness and tremendous leverage.
He constantly was able to shed blockers and compromise the pocket for opposing signal-callers. Clark proved why he's arguably the most important and irreplaceable piece of UCLA's defense. There's not another player like him on the roster.
The second-team All-Pac-12 selection surely will enter 2015 as one of the best defensive linemen in the entire country.
4. Jordan Payton
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Jordan Payton took the mantle from Shaq Evans as "Mr. Reliable" in UCLA's offense.
The Oaks Christian High School product led the Bruins in receptions (63), receiving yards (896) and touchdowns (seven). He became a complete receiver in all facets this season: run after the catch, route running and blocking on the edge.
His touchdown catch against Texas late in the fourth quarter is arguably the most memorable point in the 2014 season for the Bruins.
3. Brett Hundley
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Some might be surprised to see Brett Hundley ranked so low.
The quarterback threw for 3,019 yards and 21 touchdowns and completed passes at a 70.4 percent clip. However, this does have to do with the hype surrounding the quarterback heading into the season.
Hundley wasn't able to live up to a potential Heisman billing. Inconsistent play (in large part due to an ineffective offensive line) crippled this possibility. There also was a lack of improvement in terms of overall pocket awareness.
Hundley also wasn't able to beat Stanford or Oregon—two teams that have given him immense problems throughout his collegiate career.
However, Hundley's legacy is fantastic. He will have gone undefeated versus Southern Cal (3-0) and will go down as one of the best UCLA quarterbacks in school history.
2. Paul Perkins
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Where would UCLA have been this year without Paul Perkins?
The Arizona native led the conference by accruing 1,378 rushing yards at an impressive six yards per carry. Not only did he have seven rushing touchdowns, but he also had over 200 yards receiving.
Perkins truly was the heartbeat of the offense. After beginning the season as the backup to Jordon James, Perkins became one of the best backs in the entire conference. He was by far the most consistent and valuable member on the offensive side of the ball in 2014.
It's perplexing as to how he was named as only an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection.
1. Eric Kendricks
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Eric Kendricks capped off a tremendous career with a fantastic senior season.
The Fresno native finished second in the conference with 139 tackles. He's also led the Bruins in tackles for three straight seasons.
Not only was Kendricks recognized as the Lott IMPACT Award winner, he also was the recipient of the Butkus Award—signifying Kendricks as the best linebacker in the country.
The impact Kendricks had on the field will be immensely missed. Not only was he incredibly productive, but he dually demonstrated immense leadership. Any time there was a play to be made, Kendricks was in position to make that play. At times it was like there were multiple versions of the stud linebacker on the field.
Words cannot describe the impact Kendricks has had on the program over the course of his career.
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