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Basically ... The talent is there, the experience is more than there, and now the points have to come. All five starters return to an offensive line coming off a horrific season, and they'll need to play better or the talents of a good group of running backs will be wasted. Drew Olson is the man at quarterback, and he has to prove he can lead the team on a consistent basis. WR Craig Bragg is one of the best in the country, but he can't do it alone.
Star of the offense: Senior WR Craig Bragg
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior QB Drew Olson
Unsung star on the rise: Junior WR Junior Miller
Best pro prospect: Bragg
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Bragg, 2) OG Eyoseph Efseaff, 3) RB Maurice Drew
Strength of the offense: Experience
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line production
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Drew Olson, Jr. - With the transfer of Matt Moore, the job is all Olson's after splitting time last season throwing for 2,067 yards and ten touchdowns with nine interceptions. He has a good
arm and command of the offense, but he has to prove he can lead the offense to points on a consistent basis after last year's dismal showing.
Top Backups
- David Koral, Jr. - Koral is a big player with a big-time arm coming from Santa Monica College where he threw for 18 touchdowns last year. The quarterback competition is supposed to be open,
but he's the number two behind Olson.
- Brian Callahan, Soph. - A bit more mobile than Olson and Koral, Callahan offers a different option to the quarterback mix even though he's the clear third man in the rotation..
The Skinny: Olson has to prove he can be a big time player. He has the tools and the players around him to work with, but all that matters is production and he has to make sure there's more of it. Koral is an interesting prospect, but he needs time in the system. Player to keep an eye on: David Koral ... Quarterback Rating: 5.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Manuel White, Sr. - The 245-pounder is fast enough to play tailback, but would be more suited to be a blocking fullback for Maurice Drew. However, the Bruins like to use a one-back set much
of the time meaning White will have to most of his work carrying the ball, which he did for 379 yards and three touchdowns last year before getting knocked out with a fractured
scapula.
- Fullback Pat Norton, Sr. - A pure blocker, Norton didn't get any carries as a mostly reserve fullback. The 240-pound senior started four games last year, but will most likely compete with
Manuel White for playing time when the Bruins use a fullback.
Top Backups
- Maurice Drew, Soph. - The human pinball was electrifying when he got the chance to shine leading the team with 582 yards and five touchdowns. He's only 5-8, but he's 200 pounds and strong
able to bounce off tacklers and use his speed and breakaway quickness to crank out big plays. He's also a fantastic kickoff returner taking two back for scores.
- Jason Harrison, Jr. - Harrison missed all of last year recovering from knee surgery. He's 100% against hoping to give the Bruins a home-run hitting third option with good speed and decent
strength.
- Fullback Jimmy Stephens, RFr. - A scout team player, Stephens is one of several options hoping to see action. UCLA's backup fullbacks aren't going to play a huge role as long as White is
healthy.
The Skinny: The talent and depth is there, but there has to be far more production after averaging 91.9 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry last year. With Tyler Ebell off to UTEP,
it's up to Maurice Drew and Manuel White to be the 1-2 punch that keeps the Bruin offense moving. With a veteran line in front of them, there's no excuse for this to be another lousy season
running the ball. Chris Markey could be an interesting player in the mix coming off a 2,745-yard senior season.
Player to keep an eye on: Chris Markey ... Running Back Rating: 7
Receivers
Projected Starters - Craig Bragg, Sr. - Player Profile ... A tremendous home-run hitter, Bragg was a one-man gang in the receiving corps catching 73 passes, 43 more than the number two Bruin
pass catcher. He's big, productive, and very underrated leading the team in receiving for three straight years making the big to become the first Bruin to lead the way for four seasons. He's
also an excellent punt returner even though he was bottled up a bit last year. He proved in his sophomore season that he can be one of the best in the country.
- Joe Cowan, Soph. - At 6-4 and 205 pounds, Cowan adds size and a physical element to the corps. He has excellent deep speed and the athleticism to go up and get jump balls. Now he has to
produce after making seven catches for 31 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.
- Tight end Marcedes Lewis, Jr. - Lewis saw plenty of action last year thanks to his receiving skills, and he came through finishing second on the team with 30 grabs for 377 yards and three
touchdowns. He's a decent blocker, but not an elite one far more valuable for his ability to get open and make the tough catch.
Top Backups
- Junior Taylor, Jr. - Out this spring with a hernia operation, Taylor should be fine for the season giving the Bruins a serious set of wheels using his speed as a third receiver. He
occasionally gets the ball on reverses with two carries last year, and he caught 24 passes for 302 yards and a score.
- Idris Moss, Soph. - Due to be a breakout star, Moss has incredible quickness and athleticism catching four passes for 92 yards in a limited role last season. However, he won't be doing much
of that anymore as he was booted off the team for various transgressions.
- Tight end Keith Carter, Jr. - Carter screwed up his hip in a motorcycle accident and is still trying to get back to his old self. He's a solid blocker who'll be a valuable contributor if he's
100%.
The Skinny: Craig Bragg is on of the best in the game, but he and the offense needs help. Another wide receiver has to step up to take the pressure off, and that should be Junior Taylor.
Joe Cowan will have a decent season, but it's Taylor who could make this good corps great. Marcedes Lewis is an excellent tight end, but there aren't any developed backups if Keith Carter isn't
healthy.
Player to keep an eye on: Junior Taylor ... Receiver Rating: 7
Offensive Line
Projected Starters - Tackle Steven Vieira, Sr. - He moved from guard to tackle playing his fourth year on the line. He has problems with his knees and hasn't always produced like the team was
expecting him to, but his experience and toughness will help make the Bruin left side solid when combining with Eyoseph Efseaff.
- Guard Eyoseph Efseaff, Sr. - The rock of the line, the 300-pound Efseaff has been a fixture since day one as one of the toughest run blockers on the team. He was an honorable-mention All-Pac
10 selection last year, and should be in the mix for All-America honors this season if he and the line play as expected.
- Center Mike McCloskey, Jr. - McCloskey was an every games starter before breaking his ankle late last year opening the door for Robert Chai. It'll be a bit of a battle for the starting job,
but McCloskey is the far more talented player of the two.
- Guard Paul Mociler, Sr. - After splitting time at guard last year, Mociler still doesn't have the job all to himself even though Kevin Brown is now playing defensive tackle. Star recruit Marc
Villafuerte could take over very early on.
- Tackle Ed Blanton, Jr. - Blanton is a 6-9, 340-pound monster, but his lack of pass blocking ability is more scary than his size. He needs work on his overall technique and could stand to be a
bit more physical in the running game. However, he's getting better and could quickly turn into something special if everything starts to click.
Top Backups
- G Marc Villafuerte, Soph.- The top JUCO transfer figures to play a prominent role at right guard. He's big, very talented and at the very least will split time with Paul Mociler.
- T Robert Cleary, Jr. - The only backup lineman with any experience, the 6-7, 305-pound Cleary can play either guard or tackle. He'll start out backing up Ed Blanton on the right side..
- T P.J. Irvin, RFr. - The 300-pound redshirt freshman was a top recruit just needing time in a college weight room to become a factor. He'll be in the mix on the left side playing behind
Efseaff.
The Skinny: Former Idaho head coach Tom Cable is the new coach of the offensive line, and he'll have to whip this group into shape. Experience isn't an issue with all five starters
returning and some talented, if inexperienced reserves, and now the group has to play far, far better. They were horrendous in pass protection (although the quarterbacks generally hung on to
the ball for too long) allowing 51 sacks and were miserable at opening up holes for the running game. However, the potential is there for a night-and-day improvement.
Player to keep an eye on: P.J. Irvin ... Offensive Line Rating: 7
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