EARLY BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
UCLA BRUINS
OFFENSE - 5
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Drew Olson-QB, Marcedes Lewis-TE, Mike McCloskey-C, Robert Cleary-OG, Ed Blanton-OT, Maurice Drew-TB (NFL)
DEFENSE: Wesley Walker-OLB, Justin London-ILB, Spencer Havner-ILB, Marcus Cassel-CB, Jarrad Page-SS
Running Back

Maurice Drew should be on a short list of early 2006 Heisman Candidates. Chris Markey has also proven to be a weapon if needed.

Linebacker

UCLA had major troubles stopping the run in 2005. Butkus candidate Spencer Havner is no longer available, nor is Justin London. The defensive front has to get better.

TB Maurice Drew
 
DE Justin Hickman
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2006 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
UCLA 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Ben Olson-So ..
FB Michael Pitre-Jr ..
TB Chris Markey-Jr ..
WR Marcus Everett-Jr Junior Taylor-Sr / Gavin Ketchum-So
WR Joe Cowan-Sr Brandon Breazell-Jr
TE J.J. Hair-Sr ..
OT Brian Abraham-Jr Noah Sutherland-Jr
OG Shannon Tevaga-Jr ..
C Robert Chai-Sr ..
OG Chris Joseph-Jr ..
OT .. ..
K Justin Medlock-Sr ..
DEFENSE
DE William Snead-Jr Nikola Dragovic-Jr
DT Chase Moline-So ..
DT Brigham Harwell-Jr Kenneth Lombard-So
DE Justin Hickman-Sr Bruce Davis-Jr
OLB Aaron Whittington-Jr ..
ILB John Hale-So ..
ILB Christian Taylor-Jr ..
CB Trey Brown-Jr Rodney Van-Jr
CB Michael Norris-Jr Byron Velega-So
SS .. ..
FS Dennis Keyes-Jr Eric McNeal-Sr
P Aaron Perez-So ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

How many teams can replace their I-A leading QB and remain just as competitive? Now, how many can bump in a QB with the same last name but who isn’t related to the departing guy and then keep winning? When top-rated hurler Ben Olsen (ESPN and PrepStar National Player of the Year – 2002) takes over for Drew, this is likely the scenario. RB Maurice Drew and WR Joe Cowan will add needed senior leadership, but TE Marcedes Lewis’ departure as top receiver will change the way teams play the middle against the Bruins. More departures on the OL look to have minimal impact. An abused DL returns fully intact and must retool its approach to avoid the national cellar for run stopping. The back seven (especially the LBs) has enough new faces so that better results appear probable. Something has to give on D, otherwise, like we saw in this past campaign, scoring all the points in the world won’t stop foes from doing the same. Playing over their heads and into another top 10 ranking can only happen until the Bruins travel into South Bend. But without defense, don’t expect their luck to strike two consecutive seasons. Being the second- or third-best team (behind USC and possibly Oregon) in the conference and a national contender would please many, but UCLA needs to find their own identity before they are ready to be the kings of Los Angeles, let alone the Pac Ten or beyond.

 

2006 SCHEDULE

9-2 Utah
9-9 Rice
9-23 @ Washington
9-30 Stanford
10-7 Arizona
10-14 @ Oregon
10-21 @ Notre Dame
10-28 Washington State
11-4 @ California
11-11 Oregon State
11-18 @ Arizona State
12-2 Southern California