UCLA Football: 5 Toughest QBs Bruins Will Face in 2015

The Pac-12 is reputed year in and year out for potentially having the best collection of signal-callers anywhere in the country. 

In 2015, it's no different. 

The UCLA football team will be going up against some good quarterbacks. This piece will take a look at the five toughest signal-callers Jim Mora and the Bruins will face this upcoming season. 

Members on this list all bring dynamic qualities to the table, including arm strength, mobility, moxie and toughness. 

Honorable mention: Anu Solomon

Mike Bercovici

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Quarterback Mike Bercovici can sling it.

Some might be surprised at the inclusion of Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici on this list. 

As a senior this upcoming year, it will be the first in which he's the unquestioned starter at the position. There's an obvious lack of experience compared to fellow Pac-12 quarterbacks. 

However, there's reason to think he'll be dangerous for the Sun Devils. 

Mike Norvell's offensive scheme is unpredictable and difficult to defend against. He's excellent in setting up mismatches on the field with his skill position players. Bercovici should be afforded some good opportunities to make big plays. 

Although he played in a limited capacity last year, he more than proved his ability. His arm is much stronger than former starter Taylor Kelly. As a result, look for ASU's offense to have more of a vertical element to it. A talented collection of wide receivers and running backs will also help Bercovici's transition as a starter. 

Jared Goff

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Goff is the best QB in the conference.

Without question, Jared Goff is the most talented signal-caller UCLA will face this upcoming year. 

Cal's quarterback threw for 35 touchdowns last year as a sophomore. As a true freshman, Goff accrued 18 touchdowns and over 3,500 yards passing.

Goff is adept at slinging the ball around to all parts of the field. There simply isn't a throw he can't make. With Sonny Dykes' propensity to dial up plays in the passing game, there's a real chance Goff throws for over 4,000 yards in his junior campaign.  

It would not be a surprise to see Goff depart after his junior season. If he continues on this same trajectory, he's in line to become a high NFL draft choice in 2016. 

Taysom Hill

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Hill is perhaps the most underrated signal-caller in the country.

Taysom Hill is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the entire country.

Conventional wisdom suggests a dual-threat option possessing characteristics such as awesome speed and impressive agility. 

Hill bucks that trend with a powerful, unconventional way of playing the position. In essence, his rumbling running style is comparable as an amalgam of Tim Tebow and Jake Locker. Hill can run between the tackles when need be, but he can also run away from defenders. 

BYU will present UCLA with a number of challenges, and it starts with Hill. The Bruins will have to account for Hill on designed zone-read looks, as well as on scrambles and broken plays. 

Kevin Hogan

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Hogan torched UCLA last year.

Kevin Hogan doesn't have overly outstanding physical tools. 

While mobile, he isn't incredibly elusive in the open field. While tall and sturdy, his long release on throws hinders both accuracy and timing in regards to his receivers. 

Although he's not the most consistent signal-caller, Hogan usually plays well versus UCLA. 

Last season, Hogan went 16-of-19 for 234 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-10 spanking of the Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The prior year, he went 18-of-25 for 227 yards and a touchdown. In his career as a starter, Hogan is undefeated (4-0) versus UCLA.

Stanford is one of two Pac-12 teams UCLA has not beaten in the Mora era. Should the Cardinal win again in '15, it'll likely be due to the efforts of their signal-caller. 

Cody Kessler

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Kessler is one of the most experienced QBs in the conference.

Cody Kessler returns to Southern Cal as one of the elite quarterbacks in the conference. 

The Bakersfield native is adept at exploiting pockets of space on the field with accurate throws. While he won't wow anyone with plus arm strength, he has enough on the football to get it to where it needs to be. 

Beyond that, Kessler is an experienced, seasoned option at the position. In his third season as a starter, he'll look to improve upon a successful junior campaign in which he had 39 touchdown throws to only five interceptions.