UCLA Football Under Bob Chesney

New UCLA football coach Bob Chesney is raising the bar for his team. Players are expected to consistently perform at their best, though, well, that’s the aim.

At practice, almost every detail is scrutinized. Player expressions? Those are pretty much the only things not graded.

This attention to detail extends even to the cleanliness of lockers and workout areas, a point that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the team.

Scott Taylor, a versatile edge rusher and linebacker, remarked, “Nothing is too small for him. Everything is scored, everything is measured, everything can be tracked, so it’s very clear where you stand and what’s expected.” Some metrics are visible in the locker and weight rooms, while others get sent directly to the players’ phones. Taylor, often among the top performers, doesn’t flinch when he sees his scores.

“At first, it might cause some anxiety,” he noted. “But once competition becomes a part of daily life, it’s something to anticipate instead of dread. It’s great living with that drive.”

Observations from Spring Practice

The noticeable growth in Taylor is visible, especially with his impressive arms. He bulked up from 233 to 245 pounds, mostly through natural gains. “My weight is fine,” he stated. “I can’t complain. It just makes me faster.”

This added weight positions Taylor to excel in both edge rushing and linebacker roles during practices, often working alongside standout Sahil West to create an effective pass-rushing duo. “Being versatile is something I take pride in,” he said. Last season, he recorded 12 tackles, had a forced fumble, and blocked a kick. “I can line up off the edge, pass rush, and even adjust on heavier sets. It all adds to my skill set.”

Speeding Up the Game

Jaivian Thomas, who previously led California in rushing, is eager to regain his speed this spring. “This might be the fastest offense we’ve ever had,” he claimed. Last year, he ran for 294 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Thomas pointed to several encouraging signs, like an improved offensive line and new running back transfers, including Wayne Knight, who isn’t shy about dedicating time to teach his teammates helpful drills. “He doesn’t just want to focus on himself. He aims to uplift those around him,” Thomas shared.

Practice Hiccups

During practice, the team faced some snapping issues near the goal line. All three centers struggled, leading to one snapped ball going over quarterback Niko Iamareaba’s head.

Coaching Clinics

The Bruins planned a night practice as part of a coaching clinic, inviting 175 high school coaches, including 30 head coaches from multiple states. The event will cover the coaching scheme and feature position group breakouts to demonstrate specific drills.

Chesney expressed that combining the theoretical and practical elements during the clinic allows coaches to leave with valuable insights to bring back to their teams.

Additional Notes

Center Sam Yun, who was previously sidelined due to injury, returned to practice with the second unit during a segment open to media. Meanwhile, backup kicker Mateo Orozco made four of five field goals during early practice, impressively hitting from as far as 40 yards.