Fansided

5 reasons Josh Rosen can win the 2016 Heisman Trophy

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) sets to pass in the second quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) sets to pass in the second quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

A new direction on offense 

The Bruins will have a new-look offense in 2016 after underachieving for the past couple years based on their high talent level. While there’s an element of risk taking Rosen out of a system he already knows, a change in direction could help him reach is full potential.

UCLA chose Rosen to start right away in part because the spread system former offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone ran was similar to his scheme in high school. Rosen certainly looked comfortable right away in the spread, and such a system will always help a quarterback’s yardage numbers.

However, Mazzone’s departure to take the same job at Texas A&M in January didn’t exactly cause anyone in Westwood to lose much sleep, as he took much of the blame for UCLA’s underachieving season. The Bruins haven’t cracked the top 30 nationally in points per game over the past two years despite having the likes of Rosen, Brett Hundley, Paul Perkins and Jordan Peyton, and Mazzone had a similar so-so reputation at Auburn and Ole Miss.

Mazzone’s system wasn’t necessarily the problem, as many criticized his playcalling, which would often become vanilla and predictable. UCLA promoted running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu to take Mazzone’s place, and his offense figures to be more complex while incorporating fullbacks and tight ends.

Besides giving Rosen a few more options, that’s going to help the Bruins with pass protection, which was seriously lacking in 2015. Polamalu has said that Rosen is going to have full control of the offense, and the sophomore signal caller is ready for the responsibility if last year was any indication.

Next: The wow moments

Home/College Football