The UCLA Bruins training camp is approaching the end of their time in the desert in San Bernardino and getting ready to return to campus to finish the rest of camp at home. Through the first week and a half of camp, there have been three players that have really stood out on the field and are making plays all over. The reason that Bruin fans should be excited about these players is that two are freshman and will be contributing this season at a high level.
True freshman inside linebacker Kenny Young has been the standout star in San Bernardino so far this camp. He has shown great acceleration to the ball and has some very good, and unexpected, coverage skills for a freshman linebacker. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich raves about how hard Young worked in the offseason, and now, off the field. Young spent his entire high school spring break at UCLA asking questions and trying to learn the defense and he has continued that during camp as well. He has worn out the film room and weight room, and all of his hard work is showing on the field. In the most competitive position battle in camp, the inside linebacker spot next to Eric Kendricks, the true freshman seems to have the edge. Young is getting first-team reps over sophomore Isaako Savaiinaea and fellow true freshman Zach Whitley, who has been injured with a head injury. Whether Young starts week one or not is still to be seen, but there is no doubt that this kid will see a lot of playing time regardless in 2014.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Eldridge Massington has been the most talked about offensive player breaking out at camp. Coming off of an injury his senior year of high school, Massington was unable to be effective in 2013 and had to redshirt to get healthy. It might be the best thing that has happened for Massington and the Bruins. Once healthy, Massington spent hours and hours with quarterback Brett Hundley, and the rapport that the two formed is being seen at camp. He is catching everything that comes his way, including some nice full extension dives to reel in some balls on fly routes. The hard work that Massington put out during the spring and summer is starting to be seen and he is just another weapon that this Bruin team has on offense.
The last player really standing out so far at camp is not a surprise at all, as he is one of the better defensive players in the conference, but so far during camp he is looking elite. That player is junior corner Fabian Moreau. By all accounts, Moreau has locked down any receiver that has come his way and is building off of his breakout 2013 season. He developed the leadership skills that he needed to in the offseason and he is ready to challenge all other corners in the Pac-12, including star Oregon Duck Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, to be the best in the conference. More importantly, though, he is ready to lead a very underrated defense that should be a big reason why the Bruins will be contenders for the inaugural college football playoffs.
All in all, the Bruins have looked really sharp so far in camp and head coach Jim Mora and the rest of the coaches are happy with what they see. It could be a magical season in Westwood, but it all starts with fall camp and it is promising to see how well the Bruins look this early.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @vsenick. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Football fans… be sure to check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities each and every week.
Main Photo:
