LOS ANGELES — Devin Lucien’s hands wrapped around a crisp Brett Hundley pass in the back of the Bruins’ practice field endzone. It was one of the day’s better catches, and Lucien knew it.
“Tell everyone, I’m coming for that starting spot,” Lucien told reporters after the catch.
Soon after, he caught another — a similar, dazzling catch just inside the white line.
“I’m telling y’all, you better tell somebody,” Lucien said. This time, he smiled and laughed. His point had been made.
UCLA Coach Jim Mora has mentioned Lucien as one of a few standouts so far in spring practice, as his quality catches have become a regularity. But Lucien hasn’t even been practicing with the first team, with sophomore Jordan Payton handling the outside receiver duties opposite senior Shaq Evans.
That’s not to say that Lucien isn’t capable of being the starter in the fall. Really, Lucien’s second team spot is more a product of UCLA’s strength at the position. With at least four quality receivers making plays in spring practice and a Y that looks ready to stand out as well, the Bruins pass offense could be littered with an abundance of talent in the fall. And with the passing game bound to be even more important in 2013, UCLA’s wide receiver corps could be its saving grace.
SHAQ EVANS
2012 stats: 60 catches, 877 yards, 3 touchdowns
Evans looks even bigger than last season and with him likely becoming the Bruins’ top red zone target, with tight end Joe Fauria off to the NFL, his strength and ball skills will be especially important for UCLA’s ability to keep its offense moving. Evans has always shown flashes of greatness, but there’s good reason to believe that this could really be his year.
His drills in spring practice so far have been the most crisp, and he’s definitely taken more of a leadership role, at least in his position group. He’s also a confident guy, saying that he’s aiming for 80 catches and 10 touchdowns this season as the Bruins No. 1 receiver. Evans had just three touchdowns last, so there are legitimate questions as to whether he could be a seirous threat in the red zone.
JORDAN PAYTON
2012 stats: 18 catches, 203 yards, 1 touchdown
The knock on Payton will almost always be that he’s not a real burner on the outside, and he probably won’t ever become that kind of receiver. Still, with a lot of speedy guys littering the receiving corps, having a quality possession guy with good hands is important, too, and that’s why Payton has been a starter so far this spring. Payton was also pretty highly touted coming out of high school, so the potential has always been there.
His hold on that starting job is definitely tenuous, but he’ll be getting his fair share of targets this season no matter whether he’s in the starting lineup or not. He hasn’t exactly set the world on fire through two practices this spring though.
DEVIN LUCIEN
2012 stats: 10 catches, 188 yards
Lucien, as was previously mentioned, has been especially impressive to start off the spring, making some acrobatic catches and looking especially good in the one-on-ones and scrimmages. His position drills could probably use some improvement, and the coaches haven’t been afraid of getting on him when he slips up.
Still, I wouldn’t doubt if Lucien is starting opposite Evans when the season begins. He’s got solid athleticism, and his hands are looking especially good so far through two practices. The signs suggest that the best is yet to come.
DEVIN FULLER
2012 stats: 20 catches, 145 yards, 2 touchdowns
How UCLA uses Fuller will be a serious topic of discussion this spring and fall, as Mora and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone have put him in a new formation as a Wildcat quarterback — a formation they plan on adding pass plays to. Mazzone said that he sees him as more of an all-purpose player than a wide receiver, and if he’s used like that, he could be a serious weapon.
Players as quick and athletic as Fuller have proven to excel in these roles more and more in the past few years, and with Mazzone’s complex and effective offense, Fuller could be one of UCLA’s most important offensive players.
DARIUS BELL
2012 stats: 7 catches, 143 yards, 1 touchdown
It’s tough to replace a guy as big as Fauria in the red zone, and Bell will definitely have to be used in a different way than his predecessor was (Bell is just 5-11). But as the Bruins’ indisputed Y at this point, Bell has run solid routes and looked good in one-on-one drills. He hasn’t made much of an impact in UCLA’s scrimmaging so far, but if the offense can utilize his skills well, then there’s no reason to doubt that he can have an impact. First, however, he’ll need stay healthy, which has been a problem in the past.