UCLA Football: Projecting Bruins' Post-Spring 2-Deep Depth Chart

With spring practice officially over for head coach Jim Mora and the UCLA Bruins, it's time to take a step back and assess the bigger picture heading into the fall.

The session proved to be significant for the Bruins. There were no serious injuries reported, and the depth on this team is potentially as good as it's been during Mora's tenure.

There are still some questions being asked—specifically at quarterback and various reserve spots.

This piece will attempt to craft a post-spring two-deep depth chart. We will exclude any incoming freshmen unless they're already enrolled in school.

Quarterback

First String: Josh Rosen

Second String: Asiantii Woulard 

The quarterback position is the biggest question mark heading into the fall.

If one asks the coaches publicly, it's a three-man race for the job between Rosen, Woulard and Jerry Neuheisel. Based on spring practice, it's clear Rosen was the most consistent.

The early enrollee out of St. John Bosco High School demonstrated very good physical tools to go along with immense mental acuity. Woulard—who possesses an impressive skill set in his own right—is also jockeying for the lead spot.

Neuheisel is a likable guy with an innate knowledge of the offense. He also has considerable leadership qualities. However, his physical capabilities simply don't match up with those of his competitors.

Running Back

First String: Paul Perkins

Second String: Nate Starks

Fullback: Nate Iese

There's no question Perkins is the top dog in the backfield for UCLA. The Pac-12's leading rusher in 2014 will look to have an even better season as a redshirt junior. Not only is Perkins arguably the best back in the conference, but he's one of the best rushers in the entire country.

According to Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times, Starks has had a very good spring. His ability to run the football gives UCLA an added dimension in its backfield.

In theory, Starks' emergence will help to keep Perkins fresh.

Offensive Line

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Benenoch warding away a defender.

First String (L-R): Conor McDermott, Caleb Benenoch, Jake Brendel, Alex Redmond, Simon Goines

Second String (L-R): Kolton Miller, Kenny Lacy, Scott Quessenberry, Poasi Moala, Zach Bateman

Of all the positions within the two-deep roster, this is perhaps the most fluid.

Injuries will likely determine the pecking order in this group. Benenoch started and played well at right tackle a season ago. However, his best long-term position could be at guard. If Goines can come back fully healthy and perform at a high level, it could behoove UCLA to slide Benenoch inside.

If Benenoch does stay outside at tackle, Lacy will likely assume the role as the starting left guard. Of the incoming freshmen entering the program in June, Fred Ulu-Perry appears to have the best shot at seeing time behind Brendel at center. This will also likely depend upon Quessenberry's health status.

It will ultimately come down to UCLA grouping its best five linemen together. Fortunately for the Bruins, the depth along the offensive line is as good as it's been in quite some time.

Receivers

X: Jordan Payton, Jordan Lasley

Y: Thomas Duarte, Austin Roberts

Z: Eldridge Massington, Alex Van Dyke

Slot: Devin Fuller, Mossi Johnson

Tight End: Colby Cyburt

Noel Mazzone's offense requires the use of virtually every receiver on the roster. With UCLA operating at a high tempo, pass-catchers are frequently substituted in and out. Although one may be noted as a "starter", it doesn't necessarily mean that player will garner a whole lot more time compared to the reserves.

Payton is the unquestioned leader of this unit. The senior from Oaks Christian High School is not only the most productive receiver, but he's also the best blocker.

The Bruins return almost their entire stable of wideouts from a season ago (save for Devin Lucien). It's a deep group with diversity in terms of style.

There are possession receivers (Payton, Duarte), bigger options (Roberts, Van Dyke, Massington), quicker, shifty types (Johnson, Fuller) and burners with the ability to stretch the field vertically (Lasley, Kenny Walker).

Although Cyburt is the only true tight end on the roster right now, that will change with the addition of incoming freshman Chris Clark in June. An elite high school prospect, Clark will likely assume the role of starter from the moment he steps on campus.

Defensive Line

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Vanderdoes going airborne.

First String (L-R): Takk McKinley, Kenny Clark, Eddie Vanderdoes

Second String (L-R): Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Ainuu Taua/Eli Ankou, Matt Dickerson

The duo of Kenny Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes will lead the defensive front. Now juniors, the two-year starters are on the cusp of breakout seasons. It wouldn't be a shock to see either play themselves into being early NFL draft picks in 2016.

McKinley appears to be getting the first crack at the vacant spot left by Owa Odighizuwa. While raw, his athleticism is undeniable. If he continues to become more refined in terms of his technique, McKinley could be the biggest revelation this year.

Keep an eye on both Dickerson and Tuioti-Mariner. The sophomores had very good springs for the Bruins. Each figures to be in the rotation extensively this season.

Linebackers

First String (L-R): Aaron Wallace, Myles Jack, Kenny Young, Deon Hollins 

Second String (L-R): Cameron Judge/Kene Orjioke, Jayon Brown, Isaako Savaiinaea, Cameron Griffin

Arguably the best talent on the defense resides within the linebacker corps.

Jack and Young will form a very potent duo inside. One would be hard-pressed to find a better middle linebacker pairing in the conference. Hollins will act mostly as a defensive end in obvious passing situations but should be improved in terms of backpedaling and covering in space.

The second unit is inexperienced but talented. Griffin, Judge and Brown in particular have very good athleticism.

Secondary

Don Ryan/Associated Press

Starting corner Fabian Moreau getting some wisdom from Mora.

First String: Fabian Moreau, Randall Goforth, Jaleel Wadood, Marcus Rios

Second String: Priest Willis, Tahaan Goodman, Adarius Pickett/Nate Meadors, Jalen Ortiz/Denzel Fisher

Nickelback: Ishmael Adams

The secondary will get a considerable boost with the return of Goforth. Not only is he the leader in the secondary, but he's incredibly smart.

Rios had a very good spring practice and looks primed to snag a starting spot opposite Moreau.

With Adams' relative lack of size (5'8", 190 lbs), he's more suited to defend versus smaller receivers in the slot. UCLA's propensity for playing a good deal of the time in the nickel means Adams will get considerable time on the field.

This is a solid, experienced unit across the board.

Special Teams

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Fairbairn attempting a kick versus Cal.

Kicker: Ka'imi Fairbairn

Punter: Matt Mengel

The entire unit returns from a season ago. Fairbairn will attempt to become more consistent as a kicker in his senior season. Mengel will also attempt to improve in his second year with the Bruins. Like Fairbairn, he struggled with inconsistency at times.

Expect Adams to reprise his role as the dynamic kick returner. Fuller, Lasley, Walker and some of the incoming freshmen will likely all battle for a role returning punts.