UCLA Football: Week 1 Spring Practice Stock Report
Four practices are now in the books for the UCLA football team during the spring-ball period.
This piece will provide a stock report based on the first week of practice. Two members of the team are enjoying solid starts to the camp, whereas a group of other players have had mild issues.
Of course, this is an extremely early time within spring ball. A player's stock can fluctuate literally from practice to practice.
With that said, one member in particular has potentially put himself in prime position to solidify UCLA's question mark at quarterback.
Here's the Week 1 spring practice stock report for the UCLA Bruins.
Stock Up: Josh Rosen
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"The Rosen One" has made his impact known throughout the first week of practice.
Josh Rosen has exceeded his mass expectations thus far during spring ball. The St. John Bosco High School product has displayed superlative arm strength, impressive mental acuity and significant maturity.
On Monday night, Rosen worked with the first-team offense, according to Ed Lewis of BruinSportsReport. Rosen finished 16-of-21 for 226 yards and two touchdowns. David Woods of Bruin Report Online marveled at Rosen's quick acclimation to the collegiate level.
Rosen should be a senior in high school right now. Instead, he may have the inside track as the starting signal-caller.
Stock Down: The Rest of the Quarterbacks
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The "arrow pointing down" doesn't have as much to do with the fellow quarterbacks as it has to do with Rosen. The true freshman has been that impressive.
Disappointment surely has to sit with both Asiantii Woulard and Jerry Neuheisel. Physical traits aside, Woulard and Neuheisel should theoretically have a deeper comprehension of the offense when compared to Rosen—largely based upon the fact that they've both been immersed in offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's offense for multiple years.
Another option—Aaron Sharp—has been working at receiver, per Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times.
Each of Woulard and Neuheisel will have to up his respective game in order to win the starting quarterback job. There's still plenty of time for this scenario to unfold. It's doubtful that UCLA will name a starting quarterback before the fall camp session.
Stock Up: Conor McDermott
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The offensive line should be an area of strength this upcoming season. A large reason for this development is left tackle Conor McDermott.
At 6'9", he's got incredible bend and lateral quickness. His overall length allows him to maul opposing defensive ends. As a former tight end, McDermott also possesses very good feet.
Head coach Jim Mora was particularly effusive in his praise of McDermott thus far in camp. His overall ability is even more significant when considering that the Bruins could very well start a true freshman at quarterback. Protecting Rosen's blindside will be paramount (should he be the eventual choice under center).
As it stands, UCLA has its left tackle spot solidified for the foreseeable future.
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Stock Down: Jordan Lasley
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Wide receiver Jordan Lasley has considerable talent. He can be the deep threat that UCLA's offense has been thirsting for.
He also has a penchant for talking smack and being quite animated on the field. While this does demonstrate competitiveness, it also can plague Lasley's game in a detrimental way.
Per Woods' Monday practice report, Lasley was removed from practice by wide receivers coach Eric Yarber for getting into it with another teammate. This comes on the heels of this past Saturday, when Lasley again displayed chippiness with fellow teammates.
As a player of great potential caliber, Lasley got to keep his emotions in check. Devin Lucien's absence opens up a spot on the depth chart. Lasley needs to capitalize on this opportunity.
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