UCLA football: Starters are set, except at strong safety
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All that remains to be decided for UCLA’s football team is who will start at strong safety, Tony Dye or Glenn Love. Both remain in contention, though defensive backs coach Tim Hundley said, ‘we’re getting very close to making the decision.’
Odds-on favorite is Dye, a sophomore who spent last season as a nickel back. Both, though, will see playing team in pass defense packages.
So the lineup as it stands now:
Offense
Kevin Prince QB; Chane Moline FB; Johnathan Franklin/Derrick Coleman TB; Terrence Austin WR; Taylor Embree WR; Logan Paulsen TE; Xavier Su’a-Filo T; Stanley Hasiak G; Kai Maiava C; Eddie Williams G; Jeff Baca T.
The wide receiver rotation will include Randall Carroll, Nelson Rosario and, if healthy, Gavin Ketchum. The other tights end/F-backs will be Corey Harkey and Ryan Moya. Wide receiver Morrell Presley will be mixed in some where. Expect Milton Knox and Damien Thigpen to see time at tailback or, in Thigpen’s case, as a X-factor moved around.
Defense
Datone Jones DE; Brian Price DT; Jerzy Siewierski DT; Korey Bosworth DE; Kyle Bosworth LB; Reggie Carter LB; Akeem Ayers LB; Aaron Hester CB; Alterraun Verner CB; Rahim Moore FS; Tony Dye or Glenn Love SS.
Nickel backs will include Courtney Viney, Dye or Love.
Key reserves will include Steve Sloan LB, David Carter DT; Damien Holmes DE.
You will notice that 21 of the 36 players liste arrived after Coach Rick Neuheisel was hired. As always, the lineup is subject to be change depending on injuries and coaching whims.
-- Chris Foster
