UCLA’s Jim Mora anticipates no defensive linemen redshirting in 2014

After Thursday’s practice, UCLA Coach Jim Mora said that his coaching staff would meet to determine who they are planning to redshirt for the 2014 season.

One group that won’t be included in that discussion is the defensive line.

There are three freshmen in that group, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Ainuu Taua and Matt Dickerson, and Mora said that the plan is to have none of them redshirt.

“Our plans right now are to play all three of those guys,” Mora said. “They are good football players, and they are in the depth chart right now, so there are plans to play all three and play them a lot. In this conference, you have to be able to rotate guys through.”

Being redshirted has helped at least one member of UCLA’s defensive line. Fifth-year senior Owamagbe Odighizuwa was redshirted last season while he recovered from multiple hip surgeries, and now he says the redshirt was the best thing that could have happened to him in terms of recovery and building strength.

Still, Mora sees the talent in his young line, and doesn’t feel like saving eligibility. The goal is to win now, not later.

“We don’t go, ‘Hey, let’s redshirt this guy and save him,’ “ Mora said. “That’s not our mind-set and never will be, I hope. It’s who can help us win…We’re trying to win, like, right this second.”

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