UCLA Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

UCLA football is coming off a disastrous 2016 season, but the Bruins could have a comeback campaign if these guys break out.

Coming off one of its worst seasons in recent memory, UCLA football desperately needs a turnaround, especially if Jim Mora wants to keep his job. The Bruins are plenty talented to contend with the rest of the Pac-12, but they need to put all that talent to use.

The offseason seems that much longer for teams coming off disappointing seasons and the Bruins fall into that category. Fans have been holding on to any hope of a comeback year, and that has to start with the return of Josh Rosen. He missed a majority of the 2016 season with an injury and he should be fully healthy for 2017.

See, things are already looking up for the Bruins, but it can’t be up to Rosen, and Rosen only, to turn things around. The Bruins will need a wealth of other talented players to step up and take the reigns.

With that, we take a look at five Bruins who could break out in 2017 and shock the rest of the Pac-12.

There was some worry before the 2016 recruiting class was set in stone that Boss Tagaloa would pick Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines over the Bruins. However, the four-star defensive tackle from Concord, Calif., decided to stay close to home and play for the Bruins.

Tagaloa didn’t see the field extensively as a true freshman, but he did finish with 18 total tackles. Unfortunately, he didn’t find his way into the backfield for any tackles for loss or sacks, but he did show some promise up front.

Entering his sophomore season, he’s projected to be the starting defensive tackle alongside returning starter Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. Those two could form a formidable duo on the interior and take the conference by storm. Tagaloa has the size, strength and potential to break out, and I’d be shocked if he finished with less than 40 tackles and five sacks in 2017.