Minus the meals, advertising cubicles and roughly 1,500 followers who confirmed up at Drake Stadium on a cool Saturday morning, it actually was simply one other UCLA soccer observe.
Coach Chip Kelly put his crew by means of its normal array of particular person drills, seven-on-seven durations and crew competitions in the course of the Bruins’ annual spring showcase, even finishing eight minutes of particular groups work in the midst of all of it.
None of this was sudden, Kelly having beforehand defined that he was going to stage a observe after the Pac-12 Community instructed the varsity it wished to televise regardless of the crew was doing this weekend. With three spring practices remaining subsequent week, Kelly opted for one more observe over a sport.
Some introductions have been made, the crew’s transfers and new assistant coaches displayed on a video board with footage and background details. Followers additionally bought a dwell have a look at what all these newcomers might do on a moist, slippery area.
Listed below are 5 takeaways from the showcase:
Dorian Thompson-Robinson seems poised to turn out to be a legendary Bruin
After engineering a historic beatdown of rival USC and transferring onto the varsity’s profession top-five lists for passing yards, complete offense, completions and landing passes, Thompson-Robinson might do one thing no different Bruins quarterback has completed since Cade McNown on the finish of the 1998 season: lead his crew to the Rose Bowl sport.
On Saturday, Thompson-Robinson displayed the poise and accuracy he’ll want for that sort of history-making season, throwing crisp passes to a wide range of receivers whereas additionally making his normal slippery runs. He famous that the day marked the fifth anniversary of his verbal dedication to UCLA.
“It’s been enjoyable,” stated Thompson-Robinson, who will play a fifth faculty season due to further eligibility granted within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “And, you recognize, I’ve loved each second of it … simply displaying up every single day being grateful and being glad to be out right here and simply having fun with the method, you recognize, it’s my final go-around.”
High quality receiving targets stay regardless of a mass exodus
There was well-founded fear after tight finish Greg Dulcich and receivers Kyle Philips and Chase Cota departed, depriving the crew of 57.5% of its catches from final season.
Fear no extra.
Duke switch Jake Bobo and Central Florida switch Titus Mokiao-Atimalala seem on observe to start out and catch so many passes that they need to search title, picture and likeness offers with Goal. Thompson-Robinson has additionally developed a robust rapport with tight ends Michael Ezeike and Hudson Habermehl whereas remembering that swing passes to working again Zach Charbonnet are sometimes a good suggestion.
A handful of younger receivers corresponding to redshirt freshman D.J. Justice — whose father, David, a former Main League Baseball slugger who attended the showcase in a red-and-white Atlanta Braves cap — additionally seem on the verge of expanded roles.
“The receiver room is trying actually good,” Thompson-Robinson stated. “Clearly, they've so much to be taught with some new faces in there, however I believe with the expertise with Bobo and Titus and the opposite guys which have performed earlier than, I believe we’ll be all proper.”
The offensive line wants some enchancment
If there’s one factor that might derail what has turn out to be a prime Pac-12 offense underneath Kelly, it’s regression alongside an offensive line that should substitute tackles Sean Rhyan and Alec Anderson.
“Clearly, it’s been somewhat tough at instances with new faces, in order that’s anticipated,” Thompson-Robinson stated. “However once more, I do know what to anticipate. I do know it is a contemporary beginning 5, so I do know there’s gonna be some bumps within the street alongside the best way.”
Tackles Garrett DiGiorgio and Tyler Manoa have been inconsistent this spring as a part of an offensive line that has struggled amid accidents and absences. Whereas Sam Marrazzo and Siale Taupaki have been injured, Patrick Selna and Thomas Cole have been lacking for unspecified causes.
The Bruins ought to get an enormous raise this summer season upon the arrival of Rutgers switch Raiqwon O’Neal, a attainable starter at left deal with, and will proceed to mine the switch portal for extra offensive linemen.
This protection might be surprisingly disruptive
Edge rusher Gabriel Murphy burst into the backfield late within the observe for a simulated sack, displaying how opposing offenses should gird themselves for double bother.
His an identical twin, Grayson, has been equally troublesome this spring as a part of a protection that seems rejuvenated underneath new defensive coordinator Invoice McGovern.
“I believe we’ll be higher on the sting than we’ve ever been since I’ve been right here,” Kelly stated.
Kelly repeated a model of that reward when it got here to center linebacker Darius Muasau, the hard-hitting Hawaii switch who appeared able to predicting the long run.
“He’s calling performs out earlier than we snap it based mostly on formations,” Kelly stated. “He’s simply that good and intuitive-type child, he’s pretty much as good an inside child as I’ve seen since we’ve been right here.”
Charbonnet wants a high quality working mate
There’s no disputing that the Bruins might have the Pac-12’s finest working again — and a Heisman Trophy candidate — in Charbonnet, however who might be his sidekick?
With the hard-charging Brittain Brown having exhausted his eligibility, redshirt freshman Deshun Murrell and redshirt junior Keegan Jones have alternated repetitions as Charbonnet’s main backup.
Neither has emerged as a runaway favourite. Whereas Murrell has displayed a pleasant mix of energy and velocity, Jones is likely to be barely extra elusive. However Jones wants to indicate extra consistency as a receiver. He dropped three passes Saturday along with making the catch of the day when he hauled in a protracted go from Chase Artopoeus.
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