There’s a lot of buzz surrounding DeShaun Foster’s inaugural season as head coach of the UCLA Bruins. One of the most interesting aspects will be how the offense shapes up under veteran NFL offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
When the Bruins released their depth chart this week, fans were pleasantly surprised to see multiple slot receivers on the roster.
Two Slot Receivers Opens Up The UCLA Bruins Offense
The unexpected development was that former Notre Dame transfer Rico Flores not only made the list of the top two receivers but also took the top spot from six-year senior Logan Loya.
“Rico just came out and had a really good spring and followed that up with a great camp,” Foster said. “Logan’s rotating in with the starters so it’s not like he’s not a starter, but he’s rotating in and there’s probably a good chance that he might get more snaps than some of the other guys”
While this change isn’t ideal for Loya, it’s a positive development for Bieniemy. During his time with the Chiefs and the Washington Commanders, Bieniemy frequently utilized two high-volume slot receivers. Most recently, he worked with Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, who were targeted 90 times last year.
Last year, as a true freshman, Flores recorded the second most receptions (27) for the Irish, primarily as a wide receiver. At 6’2″ and 205 pounds, he fits the mold of a classic outside threat. Shifting him to the inside will create mismatches against smaller nickel corners or slower linebackers.
Loya has mostly played in the slot and had his best season to date last year, catching 58 passes for 649 yards, leading the team in both categories.
Flores’ versatility allows the offense to keep him on the field for more plays, enabling them to pair him with J. Michael Sturdivant on the outside while placing Loya in the slot.
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