UCLA Football: Soso Jamabo is Bruins’ secret weapon for 2017

Although he hasn’t had the best career with UCLA football up to this point, running back Soso Jamabo could be the Bruins’ secret weapon.

When Josh Rosen went down with an injury last season, it was clear that UCLA football was trending in the wrong direction. The Bruins were already 3-3 before his injury and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Losing the team’s top offensive player and, essentially, the catalyst was a major blow for the Bruins. They struggled from that point on, going just 1-5 to close the year, missing out on a bowl game. A major reason for the lack of success was the poor run game.

Surprisingly, the passing attack remained in the top-tier nationally, ranking 19th, but the run game held the offense back. In fact, UCLA averaged just 84 yards per game on the ground which was good for only 127th in the nation. Yes, that’s one of the worst totals in recent memory from a Power Five squad.

However, there is talent on the roster at running back and his name is Soso Jamabo. The junior running back came to Westwood as a highly-touted recruit and was expected to have a major impact instantly. He rushed for 403 yards and four touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry as a freshman, but took a major step back in 2016.

How big of a step back? Well, he actually carried the ball 16 times more in 2016, but finished with just 321 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged a measly 3.9 yards per touch.

With most of the offensive line returning and Rosen coming back healthy, Jamabo is going to thrive in 2017. There are some who have written him off completely, but there’s a reason he was considered one of the best running back recruits in his class.

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Don’t be shocked when he finally realizes his potential and rushes for nearly 1,000 yards in Jim Mora’s offense this season. He might just make a name for himself in the Pac-12.