Pac-12 Media Day: Experience, veteran leadership define UCLA's expectations

The Bruins rank in the top 10 in returning production heading into 2021

(Photo Courtesy of John McGillen/Pac-12)

For the first time in a long time, the Bruins boast some of the best returning talent in the country.

Coach Chip Kelly, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and safety Qwuantrezz Knight represented UCLA at Pac-12 Football Media Day on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming season, which kicks off Aug. 28 against Hawai'i. Kelly recognized the abnormality of returning over 90% of his production from 2020 and said it was a result of three seasons of buildup.

"It's comforting," Kelly said. "It took us a while to get to this point."

In addition to returning its offensive and defensive leaders in Thompson-Robinson, Knight, receiver Kyle Philips, tight end Greg Dulcich and linebacker Caleb Johnson, the Bruins will have far more scholarship players than they ever have under Kelly. Part of that can be attributed to the extra year of COVID-19 eligibility every player earned, a blessing for a UCLA squad that boasted multiple seniors and graduate transfers a year ago.

This is very much the same unit that finished 3-4 last year – all four losses coming by one score or less – nearly securing the Bruins' first winning record since 2015. While there are reinforcements arriving in the form of Michigan transfer running back Zach Charbonnet and four-star defensive back Devin Kirkwood, Kelly said it's the returners who have helped round out his uniquely-deep depth chart.

"We're going to have to rely on that experience," Kelly said. "One thing that I'm happy about going into this season is just our depth. I think that's where we were challenged the most, but we feel like we've solved some of our depth issues."

With so many familiar faces packing the locker room, there are going to be a lot of experienced leaders hanging around Wasserman Football Center.

Thompson-Robinson is heading into his third year as the undisputed starting signal-caller, having played 26 total games in blue and gold. He said he's come a long way under Kelly's wing, not only as a player but as a leader as well.

"In years past, coach has always talked about being player-led and I was like 'What does that mean? What does that entail?'" Thompson-Robinson said. "But actually being here and having guys like Qwuantrezz and a bunch of our other leaders, you can definitely see a difference and it's definitely made a difference so far this offseason."

Thompson-Robinson isn't the oldest player on the roster, however, as the returning five graduate transfers from last year's team all decided to run it back for one more go.

Knight was active in coverage and in the backfield when he was on the field in 2020, racking up 40 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss as UCLA's top striker. Off the field, he said he's continued to emphasize the importance of that player-led system to his teammates.

"You don't want to be on a team where the coach has to say everything, has to do everything," Knight said. "At the end of the day, the coach is not on the field with you once the game starts, once the clock starts ticking. So we've got players that can actually be coaches as well." 

Even with all those starters back and their sights set on Ws, the Bruins got just one vote to win the Pac-12 South in the annual media poll.

As expected, Thompson-Robinson said that won't be weighing on him much heading into the season.

"It doesn't matter what you start with preseason, it's about how you finish," Thompson-Robinson. "That's what we're looking forward to – we're gonna knock them down week-by-week and see where the chips land."

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