2002 Statistics

written by Diamond Leung

New UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell will run a pro-style West Coast offense, balancing pass and run. Returning at least seven starters, he certainly has the horses to revitalize the offense. True sophomore quarterbacks Drew Olson and Matt Moore will compete in spring practice and undoubtedly flourish under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator and QB coach Steve Axman. Olson has good accuracy, which is a must in order to effectively run Dorrell's pinpoint offensive schemes. Moore, meanwhile, possesses the better arm and more mobility. The offense, however, will struggle at first with a youngster under center learning a new, highly-detailed offense. Moore is still raw with only one year of high school experience as a QB, while Olson needs to work on his escapability. The starter will not have the benefit of an established offensive line. Olsen will get the assumed nod.

The running game looks tough with the thunder-and-lightning combination of sophomore tailback Tyler Ebell and junior fullback Manuel White Jr. Ebell has proven himself an every-down back. He not only has the speed to turn the corner, but also can run between the tackles. White (4.5 yards-per-run), listed officially as a tailback, is a bruiser who punishes tacklers and excels in short-yardage situations. He also has the needed speed and can catch - a WC must to occupy LBs. 2002 starter Akil Harris is available, but there is a reason he lost the nod. Look for inside running to be 2003's fare with their returning guards and 245-pound White Jr. pushing ahead.

The wide receivers will assuredly route-run well and get the ball often playing under Dorrell, who most recently was the Denver Broncos WR coach. Junior Craig Bragg, great hands and speed, has developed into the team's big playmaker. Senior Tab Perry stretches defenses (19.9 yards-per-catch) and can block with the best of them once he drags a defender (or two) down field. Reliable senior Ryan Smith and speedy sophomore Junior Taylor are also in the mix.It will be hard for the Bruins to replace the production of a great tight end in Mike Seidman. But the Bruins have true sophomore Marcedes Lewis, the nation's top-ranked TE coming out of high school, primed for a breakout year. This group should be open often for whoever is pulling the trigger.

On the offensive line, UCLA returns all-conference guards in juniors Eyoseph Efseaff and Steven Vieira, as well as sophomore center Mike McCloskey - all powerful run-blockers. Experience in the middle, though, is not deep. The line loses its two tackles, missing All-American Mike Saffer most. Vieira might move to his natural LT position, while sophomore Ed Blanton, with only one career start under his belt, will likely take over at RT. Untested freshman Robert Chai, junior Paul Mociler and sophomore Matt Mosebar will provide depth.

OG Eyoseph Efseaff

written by Diamond Leung

New defensive coordinator Larry Kerr will lead a rising UCLA unit that returns seven experienced starters. He comes over from Colorado State (ironically, a team they beat in 2002) to institute the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blitzing 4-3 defense, and his fast linebacking corps will benefit the most from this scheme. At weakside LB, sophomore Spencer Havner had the second-most tackles on the team by clogging running lanes and covering the pass from sideline to sideline (three INTs). Senior strongside LB Brandon Chillar is a solid all-conference player who can make the sure tackle and be effective on the blitz. True sophomore Justin London will step in to play MLB, and although he has shown flashes as a tremendous hitter in a garbage time, he will not be able to immediately replace leading tackler Marcus Reese. There is not much depth to help if London should falter or injuries should occur.

UCLA seems solid up front with four senior starters. NFL prospect Rodney Leisle chose to return for his final season and will be a physical run-stopper at defensive tackle. While the 6-foot-3, 307-pounder was injured, junior college transfer Ryan Boschetti filled in nicely and will now replace Steve Morgan to form a great one-two punch with Leisle. DE Dave Ball will continue to dominate the line as both a run-stopper and pass-rusher, earning both team highs. The likely replacement for Rusty Williams at the other DE spot is senior Asi Faoa, who is the fastest DL on the team.

In the secondary, true junior Matt Ware was athletic enough in 2002 to make the switch from free safety to cornerback, remaining a no-miss tackler both in the secondary and on run support. Junior FS Ben Emanuel II is a ball-hawk who played well enough to allow Ware to stay at CB. He and true sophomore SS Jarrad Page will continue to improve in their second year as starters. The struggle will be to replace all-conference CB and team leader Ricky Manning Jr. Junior Matthew Clark, Ware's cousin, or untested sophomore Marcus Cassel will be toast trying to cover the receivers that Manning blanketed. This secondary has taken its lumps, with Ware himself even getting beat deep at times and Emanuel and Page getting burned for being late with help over the top. Page will now be asked to provide more run support in Kerr's defense, so no longer can he afford to whiff on open-field tackles.

The Bruins will continue to have some growing pains by starting young and inexperienced players, especially with Kerr changing the defensive philosophy. Early struggles will yield later success if they play as a unit and not as individuals unable to learn from and help each other.

DT Rodney Leisle