Jerry Neuheisel talked about UCLA’s quarterback competition, including what he thinks he does better this year as a redshirt junior.
VIDEO: Jerry Neuheisel now having more fun as UCLA’s quarterback
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UCLA camp notes: Running back Soso Jamabo takes Wildcat snaps
» UCLA has a clear-cut No. 1 option in Paul Perkins, who said his goals this season are to be the nation’s top tailback and to win a national championship. That’s allowing the Bruins to give even first-team reps with some of the newer players.
Two days into camp, the main beneficiary has been five-star running back Soso Jamabo. On Tuesday, he not only got a healthy share of time on the first and second string, but even took five or six snaps out of Wildcat.
Perkins generously compared Jamabo’s running style to that of Eric Dickerson on Monday, and offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch followed with some praise of his own: “Soso is just unbelievably talented. … I’m eager to see what he does in pads.”
Jamabo honestly hasn’t quite matched his recruiting hype on the field, but it’s still fairly early in camp and UCLA doesn’t need instant production from him. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him become more of a pass-catcher than a workhorse runner, but offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said he doesn’t foresee any position changes for the 6-foot-3, 210-pound back.
» Chris Clark remains sidelined with mononucleosis, but Mazzone said that won’t affect UCLA’s implementation of a new tight end package. Nate Iese, Thomas Duarte, Colby Cyburt, Tyler Scott are the options there for now, which sounds similar to the rotation UCLA used at Y-receiver.
“We’re kind of going back to the old Joe Fauria days, when we had that big joker,” Mazzone said. “We’re going to be able to put some things in that we haven’t been able to run the last couple of years, because of the lack of a guy at that position.”
Freshman Aaron Sharp also got some first-team reps at Y-receiver. Continue reading “UCLA camp notes: Running back Soso Jamabo takes Wildcat snaps” »
Rick Neuheisel: UCLA quarterback competition is still close
Jerry Neuheisel is the only UCLA quarterback with significant game experience, but few consider him the favorite to win the starting spot. (Andy Holzman/Staff)
When UCLA starts training camp next Monday, finding a starting quarterback will be the biggest question facing the Bruins — and one that Jim Mora wants answered “sooner rather than later.”
And while most observers expect true freshman Josh Rosen to win the job, the head coach has given no public indication as to which way his leaning. This week, Mora’s predecessor offered his two cents.
On Tuesday, former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel talked about the quarterback race on SiriusXM College Sports Nation, offering his thoughts on Rosen as well as a defense of his son, returning backup Jerry Neuheisel.
The elder Neuheisel admitted that Rosen looked good in spring ball, calling him a “bonus baby” that comes in with a strong arm and plenty of hype — although without the running ability of former UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.
“The question is, do you want him to go in right away and have those — the learning curve that always goes with your first couple of starts?” Neuheisel said. “And just weather that, and become the guy that everybody thinks he’s going to be? Continue reading “Rick Neuheisel: UCLA quarterback competition is still close” »
UCLA still waiting to name a starting quarterback
UCLA head coach Jim Mora speaks to reporters during NCAA college Pac-12 Football Media Days, Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Burbank, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
At this point, just about everyone is tired of asking questions about UCLA’s starting quarterback. And rest assured, Jim Mora is tired of fielding those questions.
So when Mora accidentally let slip that Virginia would be blitzing a guy who has “never taken a snap” — well, reporters latched onto that like piranhas. Of the Bruins’ three quarterbacks, only five-star recruit Josh Rosen has never stepped on the field in a college game.
The UCLA head coach insisted afterward that it was simply an honest faux pas — that he’d meant to say a quarterback who has “never started a game.” As always, he insisted that the competition between Rosen, returning backup Jerry Neuheisel, and former walk-on Mike Fafaul (now on scholarship) is still alive.
“What I am after is competition,” Mora said. “Competition brings out the best in everybody. It’s trying to balance wanting that great competition, and wanting to have that synergy that’s so important on offense. That’s where it gets a little tricky. Hopefully we do a good job of that.”
“I would like to decide sooner rather than later,” he added later, “but I can’t force it to happen.” Continue reading “UCLA still waiting to name a starting quarterback” »
UCLA quarterback Asiantii Woulard decides to transfer out
UCLA quarterback Asiantii during the Bruins’ spring practice Spaulding Field on April 15, 2015. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff)
UCLA quarterback Asiantii Woulard has announced his decision to transfer out, and leaves the Bruins having never taken an in-game snap.
Woulard was a former former-star recruit in 2013, an Elite 11 MVP who looked like he had the potential to become Brett Hundley’s successor. However, the Florida native struggled to absorb the nuances of the position after his first preseason camp at Cal State San Bernardino.
After much thought, I'll be transferring from UCLA. Thankful for the opportunity & great experience, now looking forward to a new beginning.
— Asiantii Woulard (@Asiantii2_) June 3, 2015
Continue reading “UCLA quarterback Asiantii Woulard decides to transfer out” »