UCLA Football: A Look at the 2015 Depth Chart with the Recent Bruin Signees
Throughout Jim Mora's tenure in Westwood, the UCLA football team has relied upon an inordinate amount of true freshmen to play right away.
It's become a staple of the program—plugging in first-year players in significant spots. While there have been some growing pains, the youngsters generally have performed well.
In Mora's fourth year, it's seemingly the first time in which he won't have to rely upon a young roster. Eighteen projected starters return in 2015.
This piece will speak about each signee from the 2015 class and how those new Bruins potentially fit into the depth chart for this upcoming season.
Quarterback
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2015 Signee: Josh Rosen
A muddled picture at the quarterback position will allow Rosen to capitalize on a golden opportunity. He'll be battling against the likes of Asiantii Woulard and Jerry Neuheisel—both inexperienced players in their own rights.
Rosen's ability to graduate from high school early enabled him to get on UCLA's campus last month. He'll have the benefit of participating in a college conditioning program and also have the chance to work directly with offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and quarterbacks coach Taylor Mazzone.
The announcement of a starting quarterback likely won't take place until the fall. Regardless, expect Rosen to take the opening snap versus Virginia on Sept. 5 in the Rose Bowl.
Projected Depth Chart: Quarterback
1. Josh Rosen
2. Jerry Neuheisel
3. Asiantii Woulard
Running Back
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2015 Signees: Soso Jamabo, Bolu Olorunfunmi
Paul Perkins has the starting gig locked and loaded heading into 2015. The junior out of Arizona led the Pac-12 Conference last year in rushing with 1,575 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. It will take a herculean effort from one of the reserves to usurp the job.
With Jordon James graduating, the second-string role behind Perkins is completely up for grabs at this point.
Jamabo seems like the ideal player to fit into the spot. Scout.com's No. 1 running back nationally has many of the attributes needed to play in UCLA's offense. Perhaps above all else, he can catch passes out of the backfield—a true staple in the scheme.
Olorunfunmi will battle Nate Starks for the role as the short-yardage back in the offense. Starks likely has the edge based on experience, but Olorunfunmi shouldn't be discounted.
The two wild cards in this scenario include Craig Lee and Steven Manfro. Manfro—a polarizing figure with many UCLA fans—will return from a torn ACL. Lee might have the best ability of any runner on this list, but he still hasn't quite put it together in order to see playing time.
Projected Depth Chart: Running Back
1. Paul Perkins
2. Soso Jamabo
3. Nate Starks
4. Steven Manfro
5. Craig Lee
6. Bolu Olorunfunmi (expected redshirt)
Wide Receiver
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2015 Signees: Cordell Broadus, Stephen Johnson*
UCLA lost two of its wide receivers—L.J. Reed and Ryan Newsome—on signing day. As a result, this smallish class includes Johnson on the offensive side of the ball. He very well could ultimately end up as a corner, but he's expected to initially begin as a receiver.
Broadus is similar to multiple receivers on the current roster. While he doesn't have great quickness or speed, Broadus has good hands, possesses above-average size (6'2", 192 pounds) and is a good blocker on the perimeter. He's very similar to current UCLA receiver Jordan Payton coming out of high school.
Johnson will instantly become the fastest member of the wide receiver corps—if not the entire team. His ability to run after the catch is something this offense desperately needs.
Broadus will likely start out at the X position on the perimeter. The depth chart at the position is relatively deep. As a result, Broadus is likely headed for a redshirt year.
Johnson's 4.37 speed makes him an intriguing player from the start. As a slot receiver (or an F in UCLA's offense), he could impact right away. At the very worst, he'll be a player on special teams.
Depth Chart: X Receiver
1. Jordan Payton
2. Jordan Lasley
3. Alex Van Dyke or Austin Roberts
4. Cordell Broadus (expected redshirt)
Depth Chart: F Receiver
1. Devin Fuller
2. Mossi Johnson
3. Stephen Johnson
4. Ahmaad Harris
Tight End
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2015 Signee: Chris Clark
Clark is unlike any player on UCLA's roster. At 6'6" and nearly 250 pounds, he represents the traditional tight end. At UCLA's Y position, Thomas Duarte has been the starter since his freshman year.
While Duarte has excellent hands and ability down the field, he has limitations in his game—namely when it comes to blocking on the line. On the next level, Duarte (6'3", 223 lbs) functions perfectly as an H-back. Clark's advantage in this competition directly correlates with his sheer size.
He'll offer UCLA different looks in the run game. No longer will UCLA have to rely upon a defensive player to come in and block on short-yardage situations. Utilizing a defensive player usually signaled a run play. With Clark, the element of a play-action pass exists.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Clark and Duarte out on the field together a good majority of the time. Duarte is versatile enough to split out as a bigger wide receiver. Perhaps an apt comparison for the duo would be how the New England Patriots used both Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.
Projected Depth Chart: Y Receiver
1. Thomas Duarte
2. Chris Clark
Offensive Line
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2015 Signees: Fred Ulu-Perry, Zach Bateman, Andre James, Josh Wariboko, Tevita Halalilo
Credit offensive line coach Adrian Klemm yet again for continuing to build depth along the offensive line. This is arguably the deepest UCLA's been at the position in two decades.
Of the five coming into the program, Ulu-Perry and Bateman seem like the surest bets to see the field in 2015.
As a junior college prospect, Bateman has two years remaining in his collegiate career. The tackle prospect has very good feet and natural bend for a player 6'7", 320 pounds. With Simon Goines' health seemingly always a question, Bateman has a real shot at snagging the starting right tackle spot (assuming Caleb Benenoch moves inside to his more natural guard position).
With Scott Quessenberry potentially redshirting, Ulu-Perry is a natural fit behind Jake Brendel at center. If Quessenberry comes back from injury and plays in 2015, Ulu-Perry is versatile enough to slide over to guard.
James, Wariboko and Halalilo all have work to do physically. James (6'5", 275 lbs) needs to gain weight and get stronger. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Halalilo and Wariboko need to reshape their bodies a bit and get in better physical condition.
Of course, injuries could dictate one, if not all, of the three playing next year.
Projected Depth Chart: Center
1. Jake Brendel
2. Fred Ulu-Perry
Projected Depth Chart: Left Guard
1. Alex Redmond
2. Kenny Lacy
3. Josh Wariboko (expected redshirt)
Projected Depth Chart: Left Tackle
1. Conor McDermott
2. Poasi Moala
3. Kolton Miller
Projected Depth Chart: Right Guard
1. Caleb Benenoch
2. Kenny Lacy
3. Tevita Halalilo (expected redshirt)
Projected Depth Chart: Right Tackle
1. Zach Bateman
2. Simon Goines
3. Andre James (expected redshirt)
*This is under the assumption Quessenberry redshirts. If he doesn't, Ulu-Perry could redshirt.
Defensive Line
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2015 Signee: Rick Wade
If there was one area of disappointment in regard to this recruiting class, it was on the defensive line. UCLA failed to close with many of its top targets down the stretch. As a result, Rick Wade became the lone signing on the defensive line.
As of right now, UCLA has pretty solid depth across its defensive line. Wade has a lot of natural ability and upside, but he likely needs some time to fill out physically.
He has the potential to be a very good defensive end one day at UCLA, but just not in 2015.
Projected Depth Chart: Defensive End
1. Eddie Vanderdoes
2. Matt Dickerson
3. Rick Wade (expected redshirt)
Linebacker
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2015 Signees: Keisean Lucier-South, Josh Woods
Of the two, Woods surprisingly might have a better shot at making an impact earlier. He has the versatility to play both inside and outside—similarly to Myles Jack. This positional flexibility (along with his athleticism) should get Woods on the field early.
It's not very often in which a 5-star prospect, per Scout.com, redshirts. While this isn't an absolute, there's a chance Lucier-South faces this scenario.
Deon Hollins is unquestionably UCLA's best pass-rusher with his hand in the dirt. Senior Aaron Wallace is a physical option with a strength defending versus the run. The 6'4", 238-pound Kenny Orjioke—built similarly to Lucier-South—will also will return to action from an ACL injury.
Like Hollins, Lucier-South's best skill as a player up to this point involves getting after the quarterback. Although at 6'4", 208 pounds, he does need to get bigger and stronger, his quickness could get him on the field this year in obvious passing situations.
However, the overall depth at the position could also dictate a redshirt year.
Projected Depth Chart: Outside Linebacker
1. Myles Jack
2. Josh Woods or Cameron Griffin
Projected Depth Chart: Outside Linebacker/Defensive End
1. Deon Hollins
2. Aaron Wallace or Kenny Orjioke
3. Keisean Lucier-South
Secondary
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2015 Signees: DeChaun Holiday, Nathan Meadors, Colin Samuel, Octavius Spencer, Will Lockett
UCLA loaded up on secondary help within this class. A trend with virtually every defensive back signed is positional versatility. Outside of Meadors, each signee can play at both corner and safety (depending on roster need).
In a perfect world, UCLA would redshirt all five of the signees mentioned above. However, expect a few to contribute on special teams. UCLA also likes to operate in a nickel package a great deal of the time. This opens up opportunities for many of the players in the secondary.
Fabian Moreau and Ishmael Adams are locks to start next year. Depending on the situation, Adams could exclusively play as the nickelback. Randall Goforth, Jaleel Wadood and Tahaan Goodman also all figure to play considerably in '15.
After that, it's anyone's guess as to what the depth chart will look like in the secondary. Of all the positions listed in this piece, it's the most difficult to predict. A great deal of the depth chart won't be decided until the conclusion of fall camp.
Depth Chart: Secondary
TBD
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