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UCLA Football: The Chip Kelly era begins for the Bruins

By Shane Lunnen

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero (L) and Chip Kelly hold up a jersey during a press conference introducing Kelly as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero (L) and Chip Kelly hold up a jersey during a press conference introducing Kelly as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Offense

As mentioned, losing Josh Rosen is a pretty big deal, but Kelly has options he can turn to at quarterback this season. Sophomore Devon Modster has the most experience, having gained significant playing time in the Bruins last two games of the 2017 season, with Rosen sitting out the bowl game completely. Battling Modster for the top spot is Michigan transfer Wilton Speight and talented 2018 recruit Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Modster may win out the starting job, but in Chip Kelly’s offense, there could be room for all three guys to have playing time.

The running game must improve, having averaged a putrid 113 yards per game a year ago. There is talent in the backfield, with Bolu Olorunfunmi and Soso Jamabo leading in experience. But Martell Irby is a speedy new recruit who should see playing time early. The line was not good a year ago, even with future top 15 NFL draft pick Kolton Miller. There are two returnees and the line must gel better for the running lanes to open.

Losing receivers Jordan Lasley and Darren Andrews, who nearly totaled 2,000 yards combined last season, will hurt. Theo Howard is a junior ready for a breakout season and he has number one target capability. The tight ends Caleb Wilson, who is coming back from injury, and Devin Asiasi should certainly factor into an offense looking for big-time pass catching threats. However if the Bruins cannot establish a run game, they will fall victim to becoming one dimensional. Establishing the run is a big key to how successful the Bruins will be this year on offense.

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