UCLA opens camp with questions to answer

The last time a UCLA starting quarterback went wire to wire — staying healthy from training camp to the end of the season — was 2005, when Drew Olson passed for 3,198 yards and 34 touchdowns as the Bruins finished with a record of 10-2.

The last time UCLA had a quarterback play in every game was 2008, when third-stringer Kevin Craft took over after Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan were injured.

This year, Coach Jim Mora said he will name a starter within the first two weeks of training camp, which opens Saturday at Cal State San Bernardino. All signs point to his choice being Brett Hundley, a redshirt freshman who was clearly ahead of the pack after spring practice.

Kevin Prince, who won the job the last three seasons, was battling a sore shoulder during the spring. He has yet to prove he can stay healthy. Richard Brehaut missed six games with a broken leg last season. He has yet to prove he can be consistent. Freshmen Jerry Neuheisel and T.J. Millweard are even less experienced than Hundley, who at least has a year of practice under his belt.

Hundley can run at least as well as he can pass. He doesn’t have the strongest arm in the quarterbacks competition, but his accuracy improved significantly during the spring. His elusiveness as a runner could give the Bruins an effective wrinkle.

UCLA has a new sideline leader in Mora, two new coordinators and, in Hundley, a likely new leader on the field too. That’s one question answered.

Here are six others:

Can the new guys coach?

Highly regarded recruiting classes have not developed into highly respected teams in recent seasons.

Mora has set a no-nonsense tone. Assistants Adrian Klemm, Demetrice Martin and company have shown their recruiting prowess. Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone is an out-of-the-box thinker.

But how will it play on Saturdays?

UCLA went 38 years without firing a head football coach. Athletic Director Dan Guerrero has fired three in the last 10 years. Bruins fans will have to give Mora two, maybe three seasons before asking whether the $11.235-million (plus incentives) investment was well spent.

Can the Bruins tackle?

The basics have eluded the Bruins at times, as was evident from the 11 white-clad pylons that USC players ran around, over and past in a 50-0 victory last November.

The Bruins gave up 400 or more total yards seven times last season, and 500 or more three times. Arm tackling was too often in vogue. Mora switches to a 3-4 alignment this season, but whether you play a 4-3, a 3-4 or a 1-10, you have to tackle.

Can the Bruins block?

Last year’s offensive line produced a solid running game, but the Bruins’ pass protection was hit-and-miss — meaning the quarterback was often hit after a lineman missed. There were 29 sacks.

The return of tackle Xavier Su’a-Filo from a Mormon mission is a big help. Guard Jeff Baca is the only other lineman who goes into camp having already won a starting job.

Can the Bruins cover?

The Bruins are thinnest in the secondary, a dangerous thing in a conference that added offensive swashbucklers Mike Leach at Washington State and Rich Rodriguez at Arizona.

Cornerbacks Aaron Hester and Sheldon Price are solid, but there are depth issues. Anthony Jefferson, who has battled injuries the past two seasons, could be a key component.

Safety is just as thin. Free safety Tevin McDonald seems ticketed for a big season. But the most experienced strong safeties are Dalton Hilliard, who was moved to running back and then moved back, and Andrew Abbott, a converted cornerback.

Can Johnathan Franklin do what USC couldn’t do in 1986, catch Gaston Green?

Franklin ran for 976 yards last season and 1,127 in 2010. He sits 1,162 yards shy of Green’s UCLA career record of 3,731 yards. And he seems well-suited for Mazzone’s philosophy of getting players in one-on-one situations.

Can newcomers help?

Freshman defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy was the best bet to play immediately, but he will miss the start of camp after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Carl Hulick has a good shot at center and tackle Simon Goines will get a long look. Cornerback Ishmael Adams, cornerback Marcus Rios, wide receiver Jordan Payton, linebacker Jeremy Castro and linebacker Aaron Porter could also be in the mix.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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