Bruin247 Board

On offense,

TORIAN WHITE:

I think (or maybe I'm hoping) that Torian White will cement his place at left tackle. I saw Torian at a couple of UCLA practices when Torian was in high school. He looked like a prototype NFL OT. I was thrilled when he spurned USC to sign with UCLA. But his development disappointed me. He didn't put on any weight and failed to gain upper-body strength. He also had lapses during games when he just disappeared. Then we learned about his easily correctable HEART CONDITION which was mended during the bye week last season. My theory is that his heart condition prevented him from "pushing through" when he was challenged physically. I think he will grow leaps and bounds.

Starting true freshmen on the offensive line speaks to desperation. Outside of Jonathon Ogden ability I always prefer that incoming freshman linemen redshirt. Goines needs to step it up too in off-season training. Our redshirt freshmen and sophomores need to step up. It's their time.

PAUL PERKINS:

Everyone has raved about this kid. I don't anything about this kid but he better be a break out performer along with Manfro. We need two running backs to step up. I've always liked Manfro, but made some very poor game changing decision. Since fans began chanting "Mamba" he may have pressed to live up to expectations. As a result "mamba" was still appropriate but spoke to his "lack of hands" rather than deadly quick strike abilities. He'll be fine.

DEVIN FULLER:

His immense talent is apparent however, I doubt that he will challenge at QB (though I do think he will give us a running dimension, quickness, that Hundley doesn't provide. Nevertheless, I think he is too talented to sit. I like how Northwestern used Kain Colter as a RB WR SLOT special teams, wildcat, and back up quarterback.

On Defense...

ELLIS McCARTHY:

In high school "Ellis Island" was a beast. Injuries slowed his development. I sense that he will heal and make use of the off season training. Most student-athletes make the biggest jump between their first and second years. He was pretty quiet last year. I think he'll be a star this year.

WE need an OLB to break out and play opposite Anthony Barr (I am a Loyola alum and saw AB play since the ninth grade -- People scoffed at me on other boards when I said he would "beast" at OLB). I don't know who but it is going to be dog fight in the spring. We've got Jeremy Castro (I like him on film); Aaron Wallace (who played okay last year but needs to stay in his lane); Olaniyan (who is an inside Linebacker really in a strong safey's bodyl And the paradox that is Zumwalt. I think Zumwalt has physical gifts but he does not play nor does he play with discipline. Makes a big play but sacrifices gap integrity. As a 4th year player I'd sit him down he can't figure it out. Opponent consistently ran plays runs in the zone he vacated when he was 'hotdogging". I hope Zumwalt starts acting like a senior, become disciplined, or watch the freshmen pass him by.