Who Will Stand Out in Receiving Line?

UCLA’s most experienced receiver is senior Junior Taylor, and after him, there’s a bunch of “no-names,” according to Coach Karl Dorrell.

Joe Cowan, Marcus Everett, Brandon Breazell and Matthew Slater have combined for 24 career receptions, and they are Bruin veterans compared with junior walk-ons Matt Willis and Andrew Baumgartner, redshirt freshman Ryan Graves and freshmen Jamil Turner and Gavin Ketchum.

That’s why UCLA’s passing game still has some uncertainty regardless of who ends up starting at quarterback.

“We’re going to play with six receivers, and there’s a lot of guys competing for jobs,” said Dorrell, who has been giving opportunities to all the candidates during the first week of camp.

“Some are starting to get themselves noticed by making plays.”

Cowan continues to work with the first team opposite Taylor, but he’s no lock to start the opener Sept. 3 at San Diego State. Everett has been catching balls all over the field the last two days, and Breazell continues to show a knack for making difficult catches.

Slater’s and Baumgartner’s stock has also risen since camp began, and Ketchum (who suffered a slight shoulder separation Friday) and Turner appear ready to contribute this season.

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Breazell had tears in his eyes Saturday when he spoke about his cousin Patrick Murphy Jr., who died in a car accident last Sunday in Modesto. The two were teammates at Fresno Edison High and last spoke two days before the accident.

“He told me that he wanted us to be cousins again,” said Breazell, 19, who sat out Saturday’s afternoon practice because of a back injury and will leave camp to attend Murphy’s funeral this week. He said he’ll return for Wednesday’s practice.

“It has just been really hard for me to handle. Every day has been a battle, and I can’t help it because it hurts so much.”

Murphy, 18, who graduated in June, and Rashaad Green, 17, a returning senior running back at Edison, died in the accident. Two others were seriously injured.

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Ketchum is expected to be sidelined at least two weeks. ... Center Mike McCloskey did not practice Saturday because of a right shoulder sprain. He’s day to day. ... Linebacker Wesley Walker could be sidelined more than a month after knee surgery, Dorrell said.