Anthony Jefferson, Malcolm Bunche to play in NFLPA Bowl

UCLA defensive back Anthony Jefferson and offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche have agreed to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, one of the many postseason all-star events for draft-eligible players.

The game will be played on Jan. 17 at 1 p.m., and be broadcast on ESPN.

Jefferson was the most experienced and versatile member of the Bruins’ secondary, capable of playing both cornerback and safety. He finished third on the team with 72 tackles, and also had an interception and eight pass breakups. Bunche, a graduate transfer from Miami, began the season as UCLA’s starting left tackle — but was later shifted to left guard and eventually benched entirely. He did not travel with the Bruins to the Alamo Bowl due to academics.

Former UCLA defensive linemen Keenan Graham and Seali’i Epenesa played in last year’s NFLPA Bowl, but neither was drafted.

Malcolm Bunche’s UCLA career ends early due to academic issues

UCLA offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche did not travel to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl due to an academic issue, effectively ending the graduate transfer’s career with the Bruins.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound lineman transferred from Miami and earned a starting spot to open his lone season in Los Angeles, but was moved from left tackle in favor of Conor McDermott after six games. He started three games at left guard, then was benched entirely when sophomore Alex Redmond returned from a sprained ankle.

UCLA left tackle Malcolm Bunche: ‘It’s redemption time’

Coming off its first loss of the season, one particular set of UCLA players may particularly eager to hit the field again for Saturday’s showdown against No. 12 Oregon.

“It’s redemption time, man,” said Bruin left tackle Malcolm Bunche. “As an offense, we gave up what, 10 sacks? It’s time to redeem ourselves. And we know it.”

Them, and just about everyone else who saw Utah pull a 30-28 upset at the Rose Bowl last Saturday. The Utes unleashed 10 sacks, including three straight to snuff a fourth-quarter UCLA drive just inches in front of its own goal line.

Those 10 sacks, Utah’s highest single-game tally since 1983, again exposed an offensive line that had appeared to improve through its first four games. After allowing five sacks at Virginia in a performance that offensive line coach Adrian Klemm called “one of the sh–iest performances I’ve been a part of as a player or a coach,” the unit buckled down: four sacks given up to Memphis, three to Texas, one to Arizona State. Continue reading “UCLA left tackle Malcolm Bunche: ‘It’s redemption time’” »

UCLA 28, Virginia 20: Malcolm Bunche still confident in O-line

Malcolm Bunche’s first game at left tackle for UCLA didn’t go particularly well. The Bruins’ offensive line looked porous against Virginia on Saturday, allowing five sacks in a 28-20 win and committing multiple false start and holding penalties.

Still, the senior graduate transfer remained positive.

“This is not our best,” Bunche said. “This is not our best. We’ve still got a lot on the table that we’ve got to put down, and we’re going to do it.”

Left tackle Malcolm Bunche giddy about protecting Brett Hundley’s blind side

Transfer offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche gushed on Tuesday about being chosen to man the most important position on the offensive line in front of Heisman Trophy candidate Brett Hundley.

The graduate student who transferred from Miami (Fla.) in time for spring practice has played every position on the offensive line during his college career and is projected to start at left tackle in UCLA’s season opener.

“It’s a tremendous honor playing the blind side for one of the most explosive quarterbacks in college football,” Bunche said. “I just got to keep grinding, working hard on the position and protect my man Brett.” Continue reading “Left tackle Malcolm Bunche giddy about protecting Brett Hundley’s blind side” »