UCLA in the NFL: Jaguars, Vikings into championship rounds

Former UCLA linebackers Myles Jack and Anthony Barr each had interceptions in their respective teams’ divisional playoff victories on Sunday, helping the Jaguars and Vikings to the AFC and NFC championship games, respectively.

Barr had four tackles and one tackle for loss in Minnesota’s thrilling 29-24 win over the Saints while fellow former Bruin Eric Kendricks led the Vikings with 10 tackles.

Former UCLA kicker Kai Forbath made 3 of 4 field goals for the Vikings, including a 53-yarder that but Minnesota up by two with 1:29 to go. Drew Brees led the Saints on a field-goal drive to regain the lead, but Case Keenum‘s 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired pushed the Vikings into next Sunday’s NFC championship game at Philadelphia (3:40 p.m. PT).

Jack had six tackles in Jacksonville’s 45-42 win over Pittsburgh and picked off Ben Roethlisberger in the first quarter after breaking up the pass and securing the catch while tapping his feet in bounds before falling out. The Jaguars face New England in the AFC championship on Jan. 21 at 12:05 p.m PT.

Other former Bruins in action:

  • Jayon Brown had one tackle in Tennessee’s 35-14 loss to the Patriots on Saturday.
  • Takkarist McKinley had two tackles, including one sack, in the Falcons’ 15-10 loss to the Eagles on Saturday.

UCLA in the NFL: Myles Jack scores first NFL touchdown

Former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack scored a touchdown on an 82-yard fumble recovery on Sunday in Jacksonville’s 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets.

The second-year linebacker has 26 tackles and one sack this season.

In the above video, you can see fellow former Bruin Eli Ankou join the celebration in the end zone. Ankou spent the preseason with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, but was claimed off waivers by the Jaguars right before the season started. Ankou has six tackles in four games.

Other links:

UCLA at NFL minicamps

Linebacker Myles Jack had a tough introduction to the heat and humidity in Florida where he made the rookie mistake of coming to practice wearing a long-sleeved shirt. He soon ditched the sleeves.

The Jaguars website has a video practice report on Jack.


Continue reading “UCLA at NFL minicamps” »

Jim Mora on Rich Eisen Show: Will it be Manziel or Brady for Rosen’s future?

UCLA head coach Jim Mora stopped by the Rich Eisen Show to talk about plenty of things including his experience at the NFL Draft, Myles Jack and Josh Rosen.

Of Rosen, Mora said that if his quarterback had been in the draft this year, the soon-to-be sophomore would have been the best signal-caller available and “he would have gone first.”

“I know that is really a strong statement for a true freshman,” Mora continued. “I’ve been around Peyton (Manning) when he was that age. I can’t remember ever seeing anybody at his age with the arm talent, the intelligence, the decision making, the drive, the passion and the ability he has.” Continue reading “Jim Mora on Rich Eisen Show: Will it be Manziel or Brady for Rosen’s future?” »

Day Three of NFL Draft starts with plenty of UCLA prospects still available

Some of the UCLA draft prospects still available heading into the final day of the 2016 NFL Draft. Clockwise from top left: Paul Perkins, Caleb Benenoch, Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte, Ka'imi Fairbairn. Photos by Keith Birmingham (Pasadena Star-News) and Michael Owen Baker.

Some of the UCLA draft prospects still available heading into the final day of the 2016 NFL Draft. Clockwise from top left: Paul Perkins, Caleb Benenoch, Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte, Ka’imi Fairbairn. Photos by Keith Birmingham (Pasadena Star-News) and Michael Owen Baker.

Out of nearly a dozen potential draft picks, UCLA has nine players still waiting to hear their names called heading into the final day of the draft. Rounds four through seven start at 9 a.m. on Saturday on ESPN and NFL Network.

To recap:

How many total draft picks do the Bruins end up with by the end of Saturday?