UCLA Football: Big Performance Against Utah Could Boost J. Michael Sturdivant’s NFL Draft Stock
Your UCLA Bruins are less than 24 hours away from their first Pac-12 matchup, and it won’t come easy as it will be on the road against the defending Pac-12 champs, Utah Utes.
Nothing will be easy for the Bruins tomorrow, and they wouldn’t want it any other way. UCLA will need big performances by their stars on the road, and they will look for one in sophomore wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant.
Not only will a big performance by the transfer WR do the Bruins justice, but it could help him out on his journey to the next level. Sturdivant is listed as one of 10 players who could boost their stock for the NFL Draft this weekend.
Sturdivant transferred to UCLA after leading Cal with 65 catches last season. He’s now UCLA’s top weapon for five-star freshman QB Dante Moore. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Sturdivant has nine catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns through three games. In the Bruins’ Week 1 win over Coastal Carolina, he had five catches for 136 yards, including 62-yard touchdown catch.
“He’s good and has been trending up,” an NFL scouting source said. “I think he’s now in that Day 2 category.”
Through three games, the volume hasn't been there for the wide receiver, but he's making the most of it. He's collected nine receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
He'll need to do a ton more to get the attention of NFL teams; however, he has the tools to be successful at the next level. J. Michael is more than capable of creating space over the middle of the field with his long arms and tremendous catch radius. Also, he is an excellent athlete with quick acceleration and plays fast and explosive.
The transfer wide receiver came to UCLA from Cal to be a part of Chip Kelly's explosive offense, and with their help, he can be in the conversation for one of the best wide receivers whenever he decides to come out.
It could all start tomorrow, and we can't wait to see how Sturdivant and the Bruins respond.
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