Olson, Cowan top UCLA’s depth chart

Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan. UCLA’s tag-team quarterbacks the last two seasons are emerging as the front-runners in the Bruins’ latest quarterback competition.

Olson and Cowan took the majority of the reps during Thursday’s practice, with community college transfer Kevin Craft receiving enough opportunities to be considered in the running. Osaar Rasshan and Chris Forcier, meanwhile, received little time in the 11-on-11 scrimmage.

That was how things played out on the field. But Coach Rick Neuheisel was hesitant to declare anyone out of the running.

“I think that’s where we’re focusing our attention right now, giving those guys chances, but the competition has not ended,” Neuheisel said.

As for Rasshan and Forcier, Neuheisel said, “When they get their chances, they are going to have to make the most of them. For our team to get better, that’s where we stand.”

Where things will stand Saturday, when the Bruins have their first full scrimmage, is with either Cowan or Olson playing quarterback at the start, Neuheisel said.

Offensive coordinator Norm Chow said that “no decisions have been made. What happens when you get five guys out there, nobody gets any better. We felt we would focus in a little bit. Who knows who it’s going to be tomorrow?”

This is the third time that Olson and Cowan have battled for the job, with Olson winning the previous times. As of Thursday, Cowan was working with the first team.

“I just worry about what I can control,” Olson said. “That’s my attitude. That’s how I work, that’s how I prepare myself. I’m just going to come out here and prove that I’m deserving.”

Rasshan, who was briefly moved to wide receiver last season, said that he intended to stay at quarterback.

“I let them know I’m content at quarterback, that’s where I want to be,” Rasshan said. “It’s early in the spring. I think they separated where they want to go at this point in time. I just have to continue to hit the playbook and learn as much as I can.”

Meanwhile, Chow said that “no big statement has been made. We’re just trying to get guys more reps. I keep track every play and everything is charted. But basically you have to go with your gut. We’ll know.”

When they’ll know is unknown. Neuheisel said “our hope is we’ll have an idea” by the end of spring practice.

——

Making the quarterback decision tougher are the unsettled issues on the offensive line, where the Bruins have only three players who played in a game as a lineman last season.

The defense often pressured the quarterbacks during 11-on-11 drills.

“What we’re judging the quarterbacks on in that situation is decision making,” Neuheisel said. “If their eyes are where they should be based on the coverage the saw.”

The line, meanwhile, remains a work in progress.

“We’re thin, we’re young and we’re inexperienced,” offensive line coach Bob Palcic said. “I guess that’s why I am here, and I’m happy to be here. This is going to be one of the bigger challenges in my 39 years of coaching. But I’m determined to get the job done and help UCLA get back to the stature that it deserves.”

The unit is being built around center Micah Reed, a former walk-on who started eight games at guard last season.

“I played [center] the whole year until we had injuries and they had to move me to guard,” Reed said. “I feel a little more comfortable at center there.”

Behind Reed on the depth chart is Jake Dean, a converted guard, and Adam Heater, who has moved from tight end.

“The center position is the second-most-critical position on the offense, after the quarterback,” Palcic said. “Micah is a good, conscientious guy, I really believe in my heart that by the time we get to the opening game, he’ll be able perform at a winning level.”

As for the rest of the line, Neuheisel said, “It’s going to be putting them in the fire and make them grow up. That’s the only way to forge an offensive line… . It’s going to be messy for a while, but as long they keep pushing and trying, I have full confidence in Bob Palcic and Norm Chow. We’ll get a formidable front.”

——

Whether tackle Aleksey Lanis will be a part of that front is to be seen. Lanis continues to be held out of contact drills because of pain in his left knee.

“He said a year ago he was dealing with the same thing and not getting much out of spring because he didn’t have any strength in his leg,” Neuheisel said. “So we’re going to keep pushing through the individual [workouts], but we need to count on him, in the fall.”

——

Linebacker Shawn Oatis, who reinjured his neck Saturday, has decided not to play football… . Tailback Ryen Carew suffered a torn knee ligament Tuesday and will undergo surgery… . Angus McClure, the Bruins’ tight end coach last season, has been hired as the program’s on-campus recruiting coordinator.

chris.foster@latimes.com