UCLA Football: How Future Bruin Tight End Rob Booker Will Fit Into Chip Kelly's Offense

Previously committed to the Wisconsin Badgers, tight end Rob Booker is now pledged to UCLA.

2024 Waunakee (Waunakee, WI) tight end Rob Booker committed to UCLA on June 22, 2023. AllBruins.com watched his tape to better understand how Chip Kelly might utilize this talented Mid-West product.

At 6’6 215-pounds, Booker has plenty of frame left to fill out. Looks like an additional 20 pounds would be easy for him to handle.

A long-striding vertical threat, Booker compliments his height with solid speed. His body control at 6’6 is also a sight to see, as he can adjust to off-target passes. Catch radius is a word thrown out often amongst scouts, and Booker has that box checked off twice. He’s sharp out of his cuts and explodes off his plant foot in a way most humans his size have no business doing.

In high school, Booker was utilized as both a flex tight end and an inline tight end, excelling in both roles. He’s also not just running the traditional tight end route tree in his junior season Hudl film. They are using him in a similar way that current Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is being used, just trying to get him the ball in a bunch of different ways. Booker is definitely somebody you want to get the ball to in space, not only because of his speed but also because of his ability to change direction.

He’s an advanced route runner and displays an understanding of how his release off the line of scrimmage can bait defenders into the incorrect leverage at the top of his routes. He also looks like a natural pass-catcher.

Bottom line on Booker is if he develops further physically by filling out his frame, he should have a fantastic college career at UCLA.

The tight ends in Chip Kelly’s offense are utilized in both the blocking and the receiving game. They aren’t afraid to line up with multiple tight ends, either. Booker’s style of play appears conducive with him being a blocking and receiving threat at the next level. 

Worth noting is that UCLA tight ends currently only have a total of 7 receptions for 200 yards halfway through the season. 

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