UCLA Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Soso Jamabo #9 of the UCLA Bruins carries the ball to score on a 23-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the UNLV Rebels at the Rose Bowl on September 10, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

You know your running game has a serious issue when the top rusher finishes the season with just 321 yards and three scores on 3.9 yards per touch. There was a serious disconnect between the run game and pass game in 2016, and that has to change in 2017.

More: UCLA Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

If the Bruins expect to have any success in the Pac-12, they need to rely more on Soso Jamabo. He ran the ball just 82 times in 2016, but still managed to lead the team in rushing. His yards per carry average of 3.9 was shockingly low, but he has the potential to do much better.

In fact, he averaged 6.1 yards per touch as a true freshman in 2015 and even surpassed the 400-yard mark. He nearly had a better year receiving the ball (16 catches for 197 yards) than he did rushing, and I’d be shocked if that was the case again.

While the run game was a nightmare, ranking 127th in the country, it can finish much higher with an improved offensive line and an All-American quarterback under center. Jamabo will be a guy to watch for as he attempts to get back to his freshman self.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

There’s a reason the junior running back was a five-star recruit out of high school and it’s time he shows he can be one of the best in the Pac-12.

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