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UCLA Football: 5 freshmen who could have instant impacts in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 17: A general view of a UCLA Bruins helmet during the game between the Bruins and the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 17: A general view of a UCLA Bruins helmet during the game between the Bruins and the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Nate Iese #11 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates his touchdown with Darren Andrews #7 to take a 7-3 lead over the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Rose Bowl on September 24, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Nate Iese #11 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates his touchdown with Darren Andrews #7 to take a 7-3 lead over the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Rose Bowl on September 24, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The only freshman, albeit a redshirt, that I truly believe will have an instant impact on the offense in 2017 is Demetric Felton. The offense is pretty set on the offensive line, although there are some freshmen in the two-deep, and the quarterback situation, obviously is locked.

Devon Modster will be a solid backup freshman quarterback for Rosen, but I’m going to assume the junior gunslinger stays healthy all year. If that’s the case, he’s going to need a young receiver to break out and become a solid rotational piece.

Related Story: UCLA Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Guys like Darren Andrews, Eldridge Massington, Jordan Lasley and even Theo Howard — another potential breakout star — have earned the trust of Rosen, but it’s Felton’s turn. He suffered an injury recently, but has still practiced and should be good to go for the first game on Sept. 3 against Texas A&M.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound receiver looks to be more of a slot type and he brings with him a plethora of speed. He can be a deep threat for the Bruins and he can even prove his versatility by taking some reverses. Look for Felton to have a large role in the offense this season.

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