UCLA linebacker, rookies steal the spotlight in football fall camp

Myles Jack has long been lauded as versatile.

As a freshman, the linebacker lined up on both sides of the ball, starting on defense but also contributing as a running back. On November 10, 2013 against Arizona, Jack captured the attention of the entire Pac-12 when he scored his first touchdown, showcasing his incomparable speed and power.

While as a freshman Jack started at outside linebacker, as a junior he will move inside of the formation to better capitalize on that power. He will also most likely contribute offensively, although that game plan has yet to be finalized.

“The whole running back deal is kind of really unorthodox. I never know when I’m going in, I never know when it’s going to happen, I don’t know what play is going to be run, so it’s a mystery to me too,” Jack said. “I’m all hands on deck. It’s a fun deal for me playing running back.”

Jack’s signature adaptability doesn’t end there. Entering his third year with the Bruins, the junior has special teams aspirations to complement his ever-broadening resume.

“Kick returning, I want to do it, it just comes down to the coaches. Whenever they feel like they have the trust in me and the confidence in me, and I’ll continue to build that throughout camp,” Jack said. “I think it’s very likely, in my opinion, but we’ll see. It’s up to them, but me being optimistic, I would say very likely. I would say, don’t blink.”

Rookie watch

Many newcomers stood out during fall training camp in San Bernardino, but it wasn’t necessarily the names that were expected to gain mentions. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen struggled while in the midst of the highly competitive battle for a starting spot, while freshman running back Soso Jamabo was similarly challenged until he hit his stride in the final day’s scrimmage.

Instead, the name coach Jim Mora kept mentioning was Bolu Olorunfunmi, a three-star running back out of Clovis North High School. Mora praised Olorunfunmi’s quickness and fluidity while cutting through the opposing defense.

“Honestly, whenever I get the ball I just run,” Olorunfunmi said. “Watching the film, it does look like I got a little quicker, I think that’s just from six weeks of being here, from strength work and all the running so I can thank the strength coaches for all that.”

In contrast to Jamabo’s five-star rating, Olorunfunmi was overlooked coming out of high school, as he said scouts underestimated his quickness and strength.

“That was part of it, a little chip on my shoulder, just trying to prove to people that I can do the same thing that some other people can do,” Olorunfunmi said. “Ultimately the goal was just to come here and make an impact.”

Another freshman making an impact is Stephen Johnson, who has looked good in special teams play, working as the No. 2 kick returner. Johnson received a crash course in UCLA football culture when he arrived at San Bernardino for fall camp.

“It was a great experience for me, just coming out. It’s a little different from high school, the pace was completely faster,” Johnson said. “It was just a grind coming in, the heat, the whole process of the day was pretty intense.”

Johnson may also be getting the Myles Jack treatment, as coaches have approached the freshman receiver about potentially playing defense.

Monday’s practice marked the first of the final two weeks of preparation before the season opens against Virginia on Sept. 5.