Preview: UCLA football projected starters

Offense

X-receiver: Jordan Payton

F-receiver: Devin Fuller

LT: Malcolm Bunche

LG: Alex Redmond

C: Jake Brendel

RG: NaJee Toran

RT: Caleb Benenoch

Y-receiver: Thomas Duarte

Z-receiver: Devin Lucien

QB: Brett Hundley

RB: Jordon James

Other players to watch

F-back: Nate Iese

WR: Eldridge Massington

F receiver: Mossi Johnson

RB: Paul Perkins

RT: Conor McDermott

Offensive line: B-

The offensive line took a beating in San Bernardino with several starters suffering injuries. The result is a line that isn’t as deep as was originally thought. There were some bright spots in camp, however. Redshirt senior Malcolm Bunche was switched to left tackle early on and looked strong at that spot, bringing an experienced veteran into a crucial spot on the line. Injuries also opened the way for freshman NaJee Toran to earn more reps, which the newcomer made the most of. Despite being undersized, Toran showed a relentless physicality at the guard spot that allowed him to work his way into the starting lineup. Entering the season, the offensive isn’t quite as dominant as once expected, but it is certainly deeper and stronger overall than last season.

Wide Receivers: B

Though UCLA lost its leading receiver from last season in Shaq Evans, the group may be better overall this year. Redshirt junior Devin Lucien looks poised to step into the No. 1 receiver role and junior Jordan Payton remains a sure-handed possession receiver on the opposite side. But it’s the depth provided by the younger players that makes the group so good. Sophomore Thomas Duarte, redshirt freshman Eldridge Massington and freshman Mossi Johnson all figure to play important roles this year as well. Duarte looks to build off his promising freshman season at Y receiver, looking to replicate the role Joseph Fauria played two years ago. Massington, meanwhile is recovered from a torn ACL and has improved his route running. He is a big receiver who could play a factor in the red zone and be a deep ball threat. Johnson, who is also coming off a torn ACL, looked dominant in the spring as an inside receiver and should contribute behind Duarte and junior receiver Devin Fuller. The Bruins may be lacking a dominant star receiver, but they have an excess of solid players who should contribute.

Quarterback: A-

Redshirt junior Brett Hundley may be a victim of his own hype. From gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated twice to his appearances on ESPN, he and UCLA have been going all in on the Heisman hype. At times during camp, he’s looked the part. His decision-making is improved, as is his leadership. However, he still doesn’t look consistent with his deep throws and he occasionally has lapses in his accuracy, which were two areas he occasionally struggled with last season. Hundley is certainly the best offensive player for the Bruins, but he still needs to prove he’s taken that next leap forward in his development.

Running back: B

As with the receivers, the running backs have a fairly deep group of players who can contribute, but lack the star power of a home-run hitter. While redshirt freshman Craig Lee has fallen behind a bit in his development after a promising spring, his lack of production has been eased by the emergence of freshman Adarius Pickett, who switched positions from defensive back. Redshirt senior Jordon James, redshirt sophomore Paul Perkins and redshirt junior Steven Manfro should get the bulk of the carries just like last year – and they all look improved – but Pickett, if he isn’t redshirted, could provide a change of pace, with more of a between-the-tackles approach than his teammates. Another player to keep an eye on is redshirt sophomore F-back Nate Iese, who looks devastating as a blocker and a receiver out of the backfield.

Defense

CB: Ishmael Adams

FS: Randall Goforth

DE: Owamagbe Odighizuwa

NT: Kenny Clark

DE: Eddie Vanderdoes

ROLB: Aaron Wallace

ILB: Kenny Young

ILB: Eric Kendricks

LOLB: Myles Jack

SS: Anthony Jefferson

CB: Fabian Moreau

Other players to watch:

OLB: Deon Hollins

OLB: Kenny Orjioke

CB: Priest Willis

DE/NT: Ellis McCarthy

Defensive line: B

With three former five-star recruits on the defensive front, UCLA’s most important defensive lineman is actually former four-star Kenny Clark, a sophomore nose tackle. Clark is a dominant physical presence inside and anchors the entire defense. At end, redshirt senior Owamagbe Odighizuwa is a physical specimen who could be in for a huge year after missing last season with a hip injury. Sophomore Eddie Vanderdoes and junior Ellis McCarthey are two more big bodies that can help in stopping the run. Despite all the strength of the line, there are two relatively big holes: limited depth and no dominant pass rusher. With Kylie Fitts’ transfer to Utah, the Bruins need to dig a little deeper for serviceable backups, though players like redshirt sophomore Eli Ankou and freshman Matt Dickerson should still contribute. As for the pass rush, with Cassius Marsh and Keenan Graham graduated, Odighizuwa and Vanderdoes, though the latter is more of a run stopper, have 11 sacks to make up for at the defensive end spots.

Linebackers: B+

The Bruin linebacker unit doesn’t figure to take much of a step back after losing two starters to the NFL draft. Sophomore Myles Jack and redshirt senior Eric Kendricks are two dominant returning starters, and it appears UCLA has found a third dominant player to join that group in freshman Kenny Young. But as with the defensive lineman, pass rushing is still an issue after the loss of Anthony Barr. The second outside linebacker spot figures to be a rotation between Aaron Wallace, Kenny Orjioke and Deon Hollins, who could combine for pressure on the quarterbacks, but none comes close to what Barr’s presence brought to the defense. It will be a hole the Bruins will be trying to fill all season.

Defensive backs: A

The defensive backs looked far and away like the best position group throughout fall camp, and coach Jim Mora said he was comfortable with nine different players seeing the field. Led by junior Fabian Moreau at corner, this group routinely beat receivers in one-on-one drills and made gaining any yards through the air a challenge. In a pass heavy Pac-12 conference, UCLA should be helped out frequently by the strength of its pass defense.

Special teams

Kicker: Ka’imi Fairbairn

Punter: Matt Mengel

Kick offs: Matt Mengel

Long snapper: Christopher Longo

Special teams: C

Junior Ka’imi Fairbairn continues to improve as a kicker, but still isn’t quite as consistent and reliable as the Bruins need. In San Bernardino, he hit some kicks of over 50 yards, but also missed shorter ones. After punter Sean Covington left the program in late July, finding a suitable replacement has been somewhat challenging as junior transfer Matt Mengel hasn’t wowed and has been competing with walk-on Adam Searl for the starting spot, which Mora indicated is still up for grabs.

Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.