UCLA Football: Projecting Who Will Win Bruins' Open Starting Positions

While the UCLA football team returns the vast majority of its starting lineup from a season ago, there are multiple spots in which the Bruins have to replace integral cogs within the proverbial machine. 

The most pressing need is at quarterback. The eventual starter will be tasked with replacing arguably the most successful signal-caller (Brett Hundley) in school history. 

Additionally, there are two pressing needs within the defense to look at, as well as two positions along the offensive line. 

This piece will project and predict the eventual winners of these open starting spots. 

Quarterback

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Rosen during his high school days.

The quarterback position has garnered—and will garner—most of the headlines until a starter is named. 

With Asiantii Woulard transferring, the competition has been essentially pared down to Jerry Neuheisel and Josh Rosen. 

As we've discussed in depth, Neuheisel has an advantage from an experience and familiarity standpoint. He's also a gregarious individual with good leadership skills. 

However, his physical limitations will surely limit the ceiling of this team. Rosen is the more talented quarterback. There's no question the St. John Bosco High School product brings superior arm talent to the table. 

Couple that with the fact he was an early enrollee in January, and it's all lining up for Rosen to take the first snap of the season versus Virginia on Sept. 5. 

The Offensive Line

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Benenoch (74) can play multiple positions.

For the first time in years, UCLA should have serviceable depth along its offensive line. 

There's no question the Bruins will look to have their five best linemen included within the starting unit. Positional versatility is key here—considering the Bruins have a few players with the capability of swinging between guard and tackle. 

Center Jake Brendel and left tackle Conor McDermott are locks to start. Left guard Alex Redmond is also a safe bet to assume a starting role. This leaves the right side up for discussion. 

Caleb Benenoch will start somewhere—whether it's at right guard or right tackle. The injury to Scott Quessenberry limits his availability for the foreseeable future, and the return of former starting right tackle Simon Goines boosts the depth on the outside. 

If one were to guess, Goines will slot in at right tackle, with Benenoch sliding inside at guard. However, it's also feasible to believe Benenoch will stay at right tackle, with Kenny Lacy getting the nod inside at guard. 

Middle Linebacker

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Jack making a big tackle.

UCLA faces the immense task of replacing stud linebacker Eric Kendricks. Throughout his career in Westwood, Kendricks solidified himself as one of the best linebackers to ever play at the school. 

Fortunately for Jim Mora's team, Myles Jack is slated to take over for the departed Kendricks. 

Jack's sliding over inside from an outside position could be perceived as being a bit difficult. However, the transition shouldn't be as complicated as one may assume. 

Often last year, UCLA employed a 4-2-5 scheme—in which Jack had many responsibilities functioning as a de facto middle 'backer. New defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will likely be a bit more conventional from a schematic standpoint. Regardless, lining up in the middle should allow Jack to make even more plays. 

It should be a fascinating positional evolution going forward throughout the year. 

Defensive End

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McKinley celebrating after a big play.

With veteran Owa Odighizuwa off to the NFL, the last starting defensive line position alongside Eddie Vanderdoes and Kenny Clark is up for grabs. 

The two lead contenders for the job include Takk McKinley and Matt Dickerson. Regardless of who wins the job, each expects to play considerably. 

When it comes down to it, UCLA struggled at times to get after the opposing quarterback. The Bruins would love to find a consistent option opposite rushing stalwart Deon Hollins. 

For this reason, McKinley will get the nod as the starter. He's arguably the most gifted member of the team athletically not named Myles Jack. With his burst and sheer quickness, he could be a major factor in 2015.