Training camp -- Special teams
UCLA's best unit could be this one, led by placekicker Kai Forbath. He made 25 of 30 field goal attempts as a freshman and was 5 for 5 from 50 yards or more. And Fortbath is expected to add kickoffs to his duties this season.
Punter Aaron Perez had 35 of his 91 punts downed inside the 20-yard line last season, and averaged 42.3 yards as he became a reliable, consistent performer.
What needs to get worked out is the return game, and there figures to be plenty of auditions. Receivers Terrence Austin and Ryan Graves ,and cornerback Courtney Viney are the leading contenders to return punts, but others could materialize.
Academically ineligible running back Christian Ramirez was in line to return kicks, but a replacement must be found and incoming freshman Jonathan Franklin is a candidate. Austin will also get a look, but this, like the punt returner, may not be nailed down until late in camp.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
There was a UCLA football show on tv last night and the reporter said the most promising player UCLA has right now is Aaron Perez. Any idea why he'd say that?
"UCLA's best unit could be this one (special teams)."
That's how you know it's going to be a loooong season.