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UCLA Football: 3 Keys to Spring Practice

By Evan Lovett

Nov 3, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads players onto the field against the Utah Utes before the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads players onto the field against the Utah Utes before the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The word that can best describe the 2016 UCLA Football season is disaster.

In head coach Jim Mora’s fifth season, the Bruins were expected to compete for a Pac-12 title. Josh Rosen, a sophomore phenom, graced the cover of national magazines and featured in early Heisman Trophy projections.

With 12 returning starters and a healthy Eddie Vanderdoes lining up alongside potential first-round draft pick Takkarist McKinley, the team was loaded and primed for a breakthrough season.

In late October, Rosen went down with a season-ending shoulder injury and the team fell apart shortly thereafter. The truth is, however, that the season was over nearly as soon as it began.

Right after they lost their opener.

They bounced back to win two contests against BYU and UNLV, then faced Stanford in the conference opener. The offense did not perform, a common theme as the Bruins lost four of their first five in the Pac-12.

UCLA finished fifth in the conference in points allowed, an impressive stat considering how often the defense was on the field. That said, the unit was laden with big names – there may be five defensive Bruins from this squad playing in the NFL in 2017.

In short, the Bruins face a very uncertain 2017 season. On one hand, Rosen’s talent alone should lead them to contend in the Pac-12. On the other, the debacle that was 2016 haunts Westwood as Spring practice begins.

Here’s my three keys to a successful Spring.

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