While the focus for many Bruins is on basketball this week, we want to take a moment to catch up with our football team.
First, spring practice will begin on March 31st and culminate with the Spring Game at the Rose Bowl at 10 AM (bring your eggs and bacon I guess?). Some of us will be meeting up for breakfast before the Saturday practices and hope you can join us.
Beginning April 7th, Brett Hundley will be featured on Jon Gruden's Quarterback Camp. Check out the trailers for the series, including Brett breaking down plays, throwing different routes, and showing that he is a good pocket passer. Gruden seems to agree.
SI.com explores whether or not Brett Hundley is a project worth investigating in. Hell yah! Oh wait, that's my answer. James Thompson breaks down some film on Hundley and concludes that he is. He notes that Brett is very coachable and would be best served going to a team with a veteran quarterback, giving him a year or two to develop.
With Brett gone, speculation is under way as to who will replace him. Rant sports makes the case for Jerry Neuheisel, noting that Jerry "knows how to get it done", has a high football I.Q., and his "gutsy leadership". Grantland's Matt Hinton acknowledges that Jerry may get the start, but adds:
If you’re itching to get a jump on the next freshman prodigy behind center, your best bet is "Chosen" Rosen, both the most coveted quarterback in the 2015 class and the one most likely to make an instant splash this spring.
Others are not overlooking the athleticism and talents of Asiantii Woulard and what he might bring to the talented UCLA offense.
Linebacker U...CLA is alive and well, getting a big commitment from 2016 4 star inside linebacker, Krys Barnes. Pacific Takes, takes a look at the talent UCLA has and is getting at linebacker, which includes 2016 5 star OLB/DE Breland Brandt, as well as Krys. New Linebacker coach, Scott White will be in the enviable position of guiding current and future Bruins at this position, with new comers Keisian Lucier-South and Josh Woods joining the team this year.
And keep your eye out today for some big announcements that could go UCLA's way. ESPN's #1 inside linebacker, Lokeni Toailoa, along with three other UCLA targets, are set to announce from Ontario today at 4 p.m. We will let you know as soon as it happens. Can I get an #8clap?
As many of you know, two of the first black players to integrate the NFL were UCLA's Woody Strode and Kenny Washington. In keeping with this tradition, I wanted to highlight UCLA Alumnus, Ava DuVernay the directed Selma, who is also breaking down barriers. From the Optimists website:
As the the first black female director to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award and have a film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture—for Selma—Ava DuVernay’s career trajectory is remarkable. Given that she never attended film school and made her feature directorial debut in 2008 with a low-budget documentary that explores the South Los Angeles hip-hop movement, it’s nothing short of miraculous. Not to mention a prime reason why this remarkably talented and gracious filmmaker has become a powerful symbol for women in Hollywood.
You can learn more about Ms. DuVerney and her new film, Middle of Nowhere, in her interview with UCLA Magazine and in her appearance on 60 minutes. From Ava:
It’s okay to change up, grow, evolve and change your mind....You can pivot. Don’t be afraid to try.
Yes it is!
Back to Football
What are you looking forward to this year in football? Who will have a breakout year? How do you expect the Bruins to fare?
For more on UCLA football, check out our football hub, and as always ...
Go Bruins!