UCLA Football Practice Report: August 25
As far as the practice schedule goes, the Bruins aren't done with the preseason just yet.
But in terms of what the media can keep an eye on, the next time they'll be on display will be during Saturday's season-opener against the Rainbow Warriors.
UCLA football had its last open practice session Wednesday morning, with reporters once again getting to watch the first 30 minutes of warmups, drills and walkthroughs. The Bruins will hold private practices Thursday and Friday, and if coach Chip Kelly's past precedent in Westwood stands, they'll have a lighter day Thursday before ramping things back up a little more Friday.
The drills the team went through Wednesday weren't the only things the media got a final look at, either. Between the two-deep depth chart released Monday, the players on the sidelines at Wednesday's practice and the distribution of black scout team jerseys, we can get a pretty good idea of who will be out there Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
Defensive lineman Quintin Somerville, linebacker Kobey Fitzgerald and defensive lineman Sitiveni Havili-Kaufusi were all once again hanging around the stationary bike and weight room area. Between the boot he's been wearing on his right foot and his lack of a presence on the two-deep, it does not seem like Somerville has a great chance of suiting up Saturday.
Linebacker Damian Sellers, who had been lining up with the scout team since game prep for Hawai'i started Friday, was seen in the injured area as well, and he too was wearing a boot on his right foot.
Left guard Siale Taupaki also appeared to be dinged up, as he made his first appearance in the unavailable area since missing nearly all of spring camp. Running backs coach DeShaun Foster told the media last week Christian Grubb had torn his achilles with UCLA track & field in the offseason, but he was back working out with trainers and doing battle rope drills after getting cleared to rejoin the team for rehab Tuesday.
The starting defensive backs at Wednesday's practice also matched up with the two-deep, as cornerbacks Obi Eboh and Cam Johnson ran with the 1s and Mo Osling III and Devin Kirkwood were with the 2s. Coach Chip Kelly said Wednesday Jay Shaw would get some time against Hawai'i as well, despite not making the cut on the two-deep.
It was hard to get a look at the quarterbacks on the far side of the field, per usual, but there seemed to be a few overthrows from what we could see. There's nothing to panic over though, since it was hard to tell who even threw those balls with so many bodies standing in the way.
On special teams, the Bruins lined up for a few kickoff returns. Running back Kazmeir Allen, as it showed on the depth chart, was the No. 1 returner. While striker Martel Irby may have been listed at No. 2, he lined up on the left side of the field and called out schemes and coverage for the returners.
Striker Qwuantrezz Knight filled that role as well, while running back Keegan Jones, receiver Kyle Philips and receiver Chase Cota rotated in for Allen.
The waiting game is underway now, with no one getting a look at UCLA for the next 72 hours.
Kickoff against Hawai'i is 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl.
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