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UCLA Football: 3 2021 newcomers who’ll make instant impacts

By Chris Peterson

Nov 14, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Zach Charbonnet (24) rushes in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Zach Charbonnet (24) rushes in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA football program added the No. 30 recruiting class overall in 2021 plus a key transfer and here are three who’ll start right away. 

When UCLA football hired head coach Brian Kelly, the thought was that he would be able to turn around the Bruins.

But as with some other high-profile hires, in three seasons, he has yet to have a winning campaign and heading into year No. 4, Kelly needs to produce some results.

The good news is that UCLA football will once again have starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, which is a solid place to start.

UCLA also had a better season in 2020. The Bruins were 3-4 and even though that isn’t a great record, the program had just seven wins the prior two years, but with a solid recruiting class, some important pieces return and at least one key transfer, a bowl game is within reach and here are three newcomers who will make an immediate impact next season.

4-star RB Zach Charbonnet, transfer from Michigan

The first name on this list is former Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet, a former top-50 recruit from California who committed to the Wolverines in the class of 2019.

In his first season in Ann Arbor, he rushed for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, an impressive feat considering he wasn’t even healthy. After fighting off some nagging injuries, Charbonnet opened the 2020 season with a 70-yard touchdown run but carried the ball just 18 times after that.

Charbonnet entered the portal this offseason and while the Bruins still have Brittain Brown, Demetric Felton is headed to the NFL and Charbonnet will be the perfect replacement.

He’s a big back and with a true running threat at quarterback, something he never had at Michigan, Charbonnet will excel, especially under Kelly, who has got always gotten the best out of his running backs at the college level.

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