Ben Wysocki commits to Utah State as graduate transfer

Former UCLA offensive lineman Ben Wysocki has committed to Utah State to play his final collegiate season as a graduate transfer.

Once a three-star recruit out of Los Alamitos High in 2011, Wysocki played sparingly as a Bruin, shifting to various positions across the line as a reserve. He notably filled in during UCLA’s 35-14 win at USC in 2013, after Caleb Benenoch was ejected for throwing a punch at J.R. Tavai.

Wysocki’s father, David, announced his son’s commitment to the Aggies on Twitter.

VIDEO: Jim Mora updates status of injured UCLA offensive linemen

Head coach Jim Mora said that center Jake Brendel (knee) is a gametime decision for UCLA’s home opener against Memphis this Saturday, but hinted that tackle Simon Goines (ankle) might be out for a while longer. He also talked about the maturation of reserve lineman Ben Wysocki, who is a new husband and father.

Right guard Ben Wysocki vying for starting spot


Redshirt sophomore Ben Wysocki emerged late in spring camp, impressing UCLA coaches enough to give him a shot to start at right guard. He is more eager to compete than ever — especially now that the Bruins have brought in one of the top-ranked offensive line classes in the country.

“Definitely compared to the last class that came in when I was a (true) sophomore, you can see it, that they really are battling,” Wysocki said. “Coach (Adrian) Klemm’s finding guys that want to compete.”

Right guard rotation key to improving UCLA’s offensive line


SAN BERNARDINO — After one of the worst practices he’d ever seen, Adrian Klemm was asked how comfortable he felt with his offensive line.

Frustrated, the UCLA assistant coach said he expected to start two or three true freshmen.

After the Bruins started preseason training camp in San Bernardino, Klemm clarified: He meant that two or three of his seven freshmen will compete for, not necessarily win, a spot.

“More often than not, they’re not as technically sound as you’d like them to be,” said Klemm, who was named Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. “We have three or four of those guys that are physically close.

“We have probably three of them that have a long ways (to go) in terms of body composition. Two that came in pretty poor shape.” Continue reading “Right guard rotation key to improving UCLA’s offensive line” »

Adrian Klemm expects at least two freshman starters on offensive line

Adrian Klemm didn’t mince words. What took place Thursday morning was the worst offensive line practice the position coach has seen at UCLA.

Done without pads due to the Bruins’ increasing injury count, the sloppy session neared closing time with a brutal sequence of penalties, dropped balls and even a safety.

Klemm has established himself as one of the nation’s elite recruiters, but reinforcements won’t arrive until fall. Right now, an offensive line that allowed 52 sacks last season still doesn’t have any stable anchors besides center Jake Brendel and All-American Xavier Su’a-Filo. Continue reading “Adrian Klemm expects at least two freshman starters on offensive line” »