UCLA Bruins Preview 2022: Offense
That’s how the Chip Kelly offense is supposed to work. It’s supposed to put up 62 on a wounded USC. It’s supposed to be the most efficient passing team in the Pac-12, it’s supposed to average 215 yards rushing yards per game, and it’s suppose to lead the conference with 36.5 points an outing.
But it’s supposed to do even more. It’s supposed to be even more dangerous. That might be tough, though, with a slew of key parts gone, but there’s enough talent back at the skill spots to be okay. The work has to be done on …
The offensive line. It was okay in pass protection and great for the ground game, but Sean Rhyan is gone to the Green Bay Packers and a few understudies have to step up.
On the way to try taking over for Rhyan at left tackle is Raiqwon O’Neal from Rutgers, senior Jon Gaines could work at guard or center, and Duke Clemson is a veteran who’ll be back on the inside, likely center.
The running backs are in place to keep all the ground game fun going, Brittain Brown is done, but former Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet is back after running for 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns, but the developed depth isn’t there – redshirt freshman Deshun Murrell has to rise up and play a big role.
The ground game will get help from Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a slippery runner who kept rolling with the passing game in an all-star season, throwing for 2,409 yards and 21 touchdowns with just six picks. Backup Ethan Garbers is back, too – he threw for 305 yards and two scores in his limited work. However, big armed freshman Justyn Martin might be too good to not get into the mix to get him ready for 2023.
The receiving corps got a bit of a bump. Leading target Kyle Philips is off the Tennessee Titans, but in from the transfer portal is Jake Bobo, a big veteran receiver from Duke who caught 126 passes for 1,441 yards and three scores in four years.
Kam Brown and RB Kazmeir Allen are speedsters who need the ball more – they each made 17 grabs last season – and star recruit Jadyn Marshall and former UCF Knight Titus Mokiao-Atimalala have to be major factors right away.
Replacing TE Greg Dulcich is a problem – he’s off being a Denver Bronco. Superstar recruit Jack Pedersen will eventually be a factor, but for now it’s senior Michael Ezeike, coming off a three-catch, one-touchdown 2021.
UCLA Bruins Preview 2022: Defense
The defense was okay. In the world of the Pac-12 is was solid, but it still needed to generate more of a pass rush, allowed 384 yards, and it gave up a conference-high 260 passing yards per game. Worst of all, it was awful on third downs allowing teams to convert 44% of their chances.
It’s going to be an interesting mix of players with the transfer portal playing a massive role around a few good veterans. It’s going to be tough to put together, and it’s up to new defensive coordinator Bill McGovern to try making it all happen. There’s one big problem – most of the top tacklers are gone
The pass rush was fine. It averaged over two sacks per game, but it needs to be able to be more disruptive.
Enter the Murphys – Gabriel and Grayson Murphy from North Texas. Gabriel came up with 71 tackles and 12 sacks with 17.5 tackles for loss over the last two years, and Grayson added 57 stops with 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. They’re about to crank up the production on one side with veteran and leading sacker Bo Calvert on the other.
6-3, 277-pound Harvard transfer Jacob Sykes is a too-quick interior presence coming off a 56-tackle, seven-sack season living the Ivy life, and next to him is Jay Toia, a former big get for USC who’ll get his first look for the Bruins this year.
The linebacking corps will see some new starters taking over, and it’s about to get a great one in Darius Muasau from Hawaii. He was one of the Mountain West’s best players over the last few years, and he’s about be one of the Pac-12’s leading tacklers.
The secondary might have been roasted last season, and it’s going to take some time before this group comes together. Stephan Blaylock is a good-tackling safety. but losing Quentin Lake, leading tackler Qwuantrezz Knight, and both starting corners is a problem.
Wyoming’s Azizi Hearn should be a nice addition to the safety mix – he’ll roam around and make plenty of plays.
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