UCLA football spring practice preview: Several key positions up for grabs in 2015

Editor’s note: the Daily Bruin takes a look at potential position assignments for UCLA football’s veteran and rookie players heading into the 2015 season.

Running back – Paul Perkins vs. Sotonye “Soso” Jamabo vs. Nate Starks

With a resume spearheaded by the 1,575 rushing yards and the accompanying title of reigning Pac-12 leading rusher, it almost seems ludicrous to think there would even be a question whether redshirt junior running back Paul Perkins would maintain the role of UCLA’s primary rusher.

But then there’s also Sotonye “Soso” Jamabo (pictured), widely regarded as the top running back recruit from the state of Texas. After initially and jokingly pinning his college choice down to either ITT Technical Institute or University of Phoenix, the high school senior opted for a physical campus instead, officially committing to UCLA on National Signing Day. What Jamabo brings to match up against Perkins’ accolades is a high school stat line that includes 2,279 rushing yards this past season at Plano West.

Also in the running is sophomore running back Nate Starks, but with only 32 carries for 139 yards in the 2014 season, he’ll need to have an outstanding spring football performance to usurp the starting spot.

Compiled by Aubrey Yeo, Bruin Sports senior staff.

Quarterback – Josh Rosen vs. Jerry Neuheisel vs. Asiantii Woulard

 

With Brett Hundley leaving for the NFL, whoever steps in to fill the hole will be tasked to follow one of the all-time best quarterbacks UCLA has ever had. It appears that there will be three candidates in the battle for the spot: redshirt junior Jerry Neuheisel, freshman Josh Rosen and redshirt sophomore Asiantii Woulard. Neuheisel’s case will rest on his heroics in the Texas game after an injured elbow forced Hundley to the sidelines mid-game. But it was just one game, and, after four years, chances are that Neuheisel won’t be making a huge jump from the player he was in 2014.

Perhaps coach Jim Mora and the Bruins are more eager to throw the No. 1 high school quarterback recruit straight into the fire. With the loss of one quarterback great, Rosen is the candidate with the most potential star power and promise.

And then there’s Woulard, who contains the same dual-threat Hundley showcased in his career. While there are no questions about his legs, Woulard will have to prove that his passing ability matches, and surpasses, his ability to run. The battle will come down to if the coaching staff sees enough from Rosen to show he’ll be able to transition seamlessly into the college game or if it thinks its prized recruit might need to be eased slowly into the next level.

Compiled by Derrek Li, Bruin Sports senior staff.

Inside linebacker – Kenny Young vs. Jayon Brown

Last year, in former defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme, the 3-4 was the primary defensive formation for the Bruins. But with the departure of Butkus Award-winning inside linebacker Eric Kendricks, there is no longer a wealth of inside linebackers to accommodate that scheme. Yes, the Bruins still have a bevy of speedy, polished outside linebackers with great pass rush skills – such as juniors Myles Jack and Deon Hollins – but they now lack that go-to tackler between the hashes. Kenny Young appears to be in line to replace Kendricks after a solid freshman campaign, but the next-best inside linebacker candidate is converted safety Jayon Brown (pictured), who has yet to see extended playing time as at linebacker.

Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.

Strong safety – Jaleel Wadood vs. Tahaan Goodman

 

Graduated safety Anthony Jefferson provided leadership and versatility in a young Bruin secondary in 2014, as he was the lone senior starter in that position group. But the players in line to replace Jefferson in 2015 will not be novices by any means. Jaleel Wadood was thrown into the mix early as a freshman in the 2014 season, and played well enough to earn eight starts by season’s end. Wadood, who measures in at 5-feet-10 and 175 pounds, is not as big as Jefferson, but he has the speed, reaction time and ball instincts to make up for it. On the other hand, the player Wadood will be competing against for the starting strong safety spot – junior Tahaan Goodman – is more of a heavy hitter, and not as much of a coverage guy. Coming in to spring camp, expect Wadood to be the frontrunner at this position due to his superior coverage skills and his strong performance as a freshman last year.

Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.