UCLA Football: 3 Bruins Poised for a Bounce-Back Year in 2015

With the UCLA football team currently immersed in spring ball, expected improvement throughout the roster should occur. Many Bruins will want to build upon personal goals set a season ago. 

There are three returning players in particular with the potential to have bounce-back years. While none of the aforementioned trio had poor 2014 seasons, there's considerable room for growth from a statistical standpoint. 

All three figure to play prominent roles on the team. Two of the players highlighted in the piece were starters a year ago. The third player is currently battling for Owamagbe Odighizuwa's vacated spot. 

Here are three Bruins poised for bounce-back years in 2015.

Devin Fuller

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

Fuller making a tough grab versus Utah.

Although Devin Fuller was second on the team last year in catches (59), his receiving yardage and yards-per-catch average decreased from the previous year. 

The slot receiver out of New Jersey averaged a paltry 7.6 yards per reception in 2014. He also had only one touchdown grab in his junior campaign—compared to the four touchdowns he had in 2013. 

Now a senior, expect Fuller to be showcased as one of UCLA's top pass-catching options. The loss of Devin Lucien should also open up more opportunities for Fuller in the passing game. 

UCLA is in desperate need of a playmaker to stretch the field and pick up big chunks of yardage after the catch. Fuller could ultimately become the missing link in 2015.

Takkarist McKinley

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

McKinley celebrating a sack versus Southern Cal.

Takkarist McKinley came to UCLA during the middle of the season in 2014. A fluky error on his junior college transcript enabled McKinley to join the team prior to the Arizona State contest. 

In limited time, McKinley had 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Richmond, California, native was very limited in terms of his knowledge of the scheme. It's to be expected—considering he was not able to participate during the fall period. 

With a full offseason under the tutelage of famed conditioning coach Sal Alosi, McKinley is on the cusp of a breakout season. An understanding of the scheme has surely also been enhanced. 

From a pure ability standpoint, McKinley is perhaps unrivaled by anyone on the entire roster. His athleticism is superb, and he is just scratching the surface of his immense potential. 

McKinley appears to be the odds-on favorite in replacing Odighizuwa at the vacant defensive end spot.

Eddie Vanderdoes

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Vanderdoes should have a big impact in '15.

Eddie Vanderdoes came to UCLA with a ton of fanfare. After originally signing with Notre Dame, the Rivals.com 5-star prospect got out of his NLI and instead came to Westwood. 

Injuries as a freshman (back) and sophomore (broken foot) hindered Vanderdoes' ability to condition in the offseason. While he played extensive minutes his first two years with the Bruins, he was never fully healthy. 

Heading into this spring ball period, Vanderdoes is fully healthy for the first time in his collegiate career. Barring injury, he should be in the best shape of his life as UCLA transitions to the 2015 season. 

Last year as a sophomore, he racked up 50 tackles—including 2.0 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Now an upperclassman and potential leader of the defense, he should improve on his statistical output from a season ago.