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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 – OCTOBER 01: Takkarist McKinley #98 and Jayon Brown #12 of the UCLA Bruins react to a tackle during the second half of a game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 01: Takkarist McKinley #98 and Jayon Brown #12 of the UCLA Bruins react to a tackle during the second half of a game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Nope, I certainly didn’t forget about the best freshman in the country and a potential future No. 1 overall draft pick in Jaelan Phillips. The 6-foot-5.5, 265-pound defensive end from Redlands, Calif., picked the Bruins over Stanford in the end and held over 20 scholarships.

More: UCLA Football: 5 breakout candidates for 2017

Harping on the point I made earlier about the lack of an effective pass rush outside of Takkarist McKinley last season, Phillips can come in right away and pick up where his predecessor left off. He has the potential to be a star on this extremely young defensive line.

Another early enrollee, Phillips looks the part of a star defensive end at the collegiate level, and he has barely even scratched the surface. Once he reaches his potential, the Bruins are going to be rewarded handsomely. This kid has the potential to be the Pac-12’s best defensive player and we will get a glimpse of that early on this season.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Having an instant impact as a freshman in the trenches is difficult because of the adjustment of strengths, but he will come in and compete instantly at a high level. Watch out for this kid, college football.

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