Wholly Un-Toledo

Karl Dorrell’s odd refrain during his first weeks as UCLA’s coach: “We are a young team.”

Memo to Dorrell, who spent the last three years as a Denver Bronco assistant: College teams are always young.

Dorrell’s words are meant to be cautionary, to temper expectations. Yet they also reflect his genuine reaction to meeting his players and evaluating their talent and knowledge.

There is no Ed McCaffrey. No Rod Smith. No Shannon Sharpe.

Elder statesmen on college teams are fifth-year seniors, guys who recently celebrated their 22nd birthdays. Guys considered young by almost any other measure.

Youth is eternal on campus, something Dorrell, a rather youthful-looking 39 himself, will learn soon enough.

As it happens, UCLA has few standout seniors but is not without experience. Seven starters return on each side of the ball from a team that went 8-5. Many other key components are back as well.

Several seniors are battling for positions, but the only ones assured of starting are linebacker Brandon Chillar and defensive linemen Rodney Leisle, Dave Ball and Mat Ball.

Last year’s freshman class made an imprint that grew as the season progressed. From tailback Tyler Ebell to center Mike McCloskey to safety Jarrad Page, first-year players became indispensable.

Perhaps that’s what Dorrell meant. Many key Bruins will be back next season, and the season after that. Misleading in such an outlook is the inference that this is a rebuilding year.

A similar message was sent by the media, which picked UCLA to finish sixth in the Pac-10. And the Bruins did not get a single vote in the preseason Associated Press top 25 poll.

“There is always a beginning point, and usually that doesn’t matter a hill of beans,” Dorrell said. “It’s where you finish. They could have picked us 10th and, obviously, we’d still have a shot to win the conference.”

Which wouldn’t be a bad finish for a young team.

Quarterback

Sophomores Drew Olson and Matt Moore have been waging a battle for the starting job in training camp, but Dorrell said Moore was in the driver’s seat after a strong performance in Saturday’s scrimmage at Cal State Fullerton.

Olson, who started five games last season, emerged from spring practices with a slight edge and continues to carry himself with confidence. He also has learned the offense quickly.

Moore, however, is taller, has a stronger arm and might have more long-range potential.

Whoever wins the starting job, the other candidate figures to get a lot of work.

John Sciarra, another sophomore, is perhaps the most improved quarterback. Although he is not challenging for the starting job, he could develop into a solid backup.

Running Back

The elusive Ebell and powerful, versatile Manuel White Jr. form the backbone of one of the Bruins’ best units.

Although he didn’t become the starter until the sixth game, Ebell rushed for 994 yards in a staggering 234 carries last season. He might have fewer carries in an entire season in Dorrell’s pass-oriented West Coast offense, but he should catch more passes than the dozen he caught last year.

White will start at fullback, giving UCLA two strong running threats. Despite sitting out four games because of injuries, he rushed for 381 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging 14 yards on 17 receptions.

White also will play some tailback, especially in short-yardage situations. J.D. Groves is a strong blocker at fullback and senior reserve tailback Akil Harris is dependable, despite a tendency to fumble.

Freshman Maurice Drew of Concord De La Salle High could make a strong impact. He is shorter than even the 5-8 Ebell, but has powerful legs and great acceleration.

Wide Receiver

Because returning starter Tab Perry is academically ineligible, Craig Bragg probably will draw double-teams until another receiver proves a threat. Bragg had 55 catches for 889 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

Junior Taylor displayed flashes of big-play capability as a freshman and could be poised for a breakout season.

Senior Ryan Smith was a dependable possession receiver as a sophomore before ankle and foot injuries slowed him. He appears fully recovered and has impressed coaches.

Former walk-on Garrett Lepisto will battle unproven Jacques Lazarus, Idris Moss and Antwuan Smith for playing time.

Tight End

The door is open for sophomore Marcedes Lewis to take hold of the position because projected starter Keith Carter is expected to sit out the first several games while recovering from a hip injury suffered during a spring motorcycle accident.

The 6-foot-6 Lewis could be a frequent target of the short passes that will be a mainstay of Dorrell’s offense.

Senior Blane Kezirian and redshirt freshman J.J. Hair should contribute, at least until Carter is at full strength.

Offensive Line

The Bruins allowed 37 sacks last season, although players and coaches alike whispered that the slow feet of senior quarterback Cory Paus and the inexperience of Olson and Moore were the primary reasons.

Still, Dorrell considers the line the biggest question mark.

“I wish we had more numbers there, but we don’t,” he said. “We are young. We have good young players who will learn a lot of lessons this year.”

The least of the worries are McCloskey and left guard Eyoseph Efseaff, returning starters who continue to improve. Steve Vieira started at right guard last season but has moved to left tackle, perhaps the most important position in pass protection.

“I love tackle,” Vieira said. “This is a big challenge and I think I’m up to it.”

The right side of the line is inexperienced. Junior Paul Mociler has the edge over senior Shane Lehmann at guard, and sophomore behemoth Ed Blanton takes over at tackle.

Defensive Line

Returning starters Leisle and Dave Ball head a group of six senior linemen who could make up UCLA’s strongest area.

Leisle, an All-American candidate at tackle, dropped excess weight and is at full strength after sitting out five games because of a broken foot.

Ball, who notched 11 sacks in becoming one of the Pac 10’s best pass rushers last season, will be complemented by his twin, Mat, at the other end. Mat Ball had two sacks as a reserve last season after moving to end from outside linebacker.

The agile Asi Faoa can play end or tackle. Ryan Boschetti started five games at tackle last season but is still mending from a medical procedure on his groin. David Tautofi, the senior with the least experience, will push Mat Ball.

Developing young linemen is a concern, Dorrell said. Sophomore tackle C.J. Niusulu is the only underclassman expected to play extensively, although tackle Thomas Patton and end Kevin Harbour could break into the rotation. Both are freshmen who redshirted last season.

Linebacker

Another strong area is headed by Chillar, who had 74 tackles and five sacks last season at strongside linebacker. He will play farther off the line of scrimmage in new defensive coordinator Larry Kerr’s scheme, giving him space to run to the ball.

Weakside linebacker Spencer Havner had a tremendous freshman year, making 96 tackles and returning two of his three interceptions for touchdowns. He also must make changes in the new alignment and is being called an inside linebacker.

Middle linebacker Justin London played mostly on special teams as a freshman. A quick and aggressive playmaker, London has tremendous potential and eventually could remind Bruin fans of standout middle linebackers Marcus Reese and Robert Thomas. Dennis Link, Tim Warfield and Wesley Walker are solid backups.

Secondary

Cornerback Matt Ware added 20 pounds of muscle and should match up well against top Pac-10 receivers such as Mike Williams of USC and Reggie Williams of Washington. Page and Ben Emanuel might be the best safety tandem in the conference. The question mark is Matt Clark, a junior who must replace the departed Ricky Manning, a perennial All-Pac-10 cornerback. Nnamdi Ohaeri is expected to be the nickel back, Eric McNeal is a rising safety and Kevin Brant and Keith Short are experienced reserves.

Special Teams

The kicking game could be dicey. Not only do the Bruins have a new punter in Chris Kluwe and a new kicker in Justin Medlock, they are breaking in new holders and long snappers. Kluwe, a junior who redshirted as a freshman, has been waiting his turn for three years. Medlock, a redshirt freshman, has a strong left leg and field-goal range up to 60 yards.

Bragg and Ebell returned punts last season, but Dorrell would prefer to break in a new returner to lessen the chance of injury to his marquee offensive players. Drew is a candidate to return punts and kicks.

Coaching

The players are not much different from last season. The coaching staff, beginning with Dorrell, offensive coordinator Steve Axman and defensive coordinator Kerr, is significantly different. Changes already are apparent. The team is refreshed and motivated. Offensive play-calling will resemble the Denver Broncos’. Defensive schemes mirror the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’.

Will it all result in a better record than last season’s 8-5 mark? If so, Dorrell will gain recruiting momentum and begin a bright new era of UCLA football. If not, he will be in the same place his predecessor, Bob Toledo, found himself in recent years -- the hot seat.