| Pac-10 Player Watch: Nelson Rosario | ||||
|
|
College Football Insiders "Pac-10 players to watch for 2010" series continues on the offensive side of the ball with UCLA receiver Nelson Rosario.
However, to this point all that potential and physical talent has not turned into consistent on-field production. While the lanky junior makes some circus catches, he also drops some routine receptions, and extended portions of games go by without him making any impact. In last year’s games against Tennessee and Oregon, Rosario failed to record a single reception, but as the season went on he seemed to progress and develop a rhythm with quarterback Kevin Prince. Over the last six games of the season, Rosario averaged five catches for just over 87 yards per game and found the end zone twice. The late season surge helped the Oceanside, California native lead the team with 723 yards receiving. There is no doubt that more was expected of UCLA’s offense when Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow arrived on campus before the 2008 season. The offensive unit faces additional uncertainty this season as the Bruins will attempt to implement the Pistol formation into their offense. With Prince having 11 starts under his belt, 2009’s team leader in receptions Taylor Embree, and the fleet of foot Colorado transfer Josh Smith becoming eligible, it appears the new offense will have a good number of weapons in the passing game. If Nelson Rosario finishes the transition from talented athlete to fully developed receiver, it will make whatever offense the team is running more effective, and will finally put a Bruin skill position player on an All Pac-10 team again. Related Columns: Pac-10 Player Watch #1 - James Rodgers, Oregon State Pac-10 Player Watch #2 - Shane Vereen, California Pac-10 Player Watch #3 - Chris Owusu, Stanford Pac-10 Player Watch #4 - Chris Polk, Washington Pac-10 Player Watch #5 - Jeff Tuel, Washington State Pac-10 Player Watch #6 - Nick Foles, Arizona Photo Courtesy of Don Liebig/ASUCLA 
|
UCLA is, and has been in dire need of a playmaker on offense. You can blame the offensive line, the quarterbacks, the overall talent level, a lack of coaching, or whatever you want. But the fact remains: the Bruins have not had a player on the first or second All Conference team at any skill position since 2005 and the days of Maurice Jones-Drew. At 6’5”, with good speed and the jumping ability good enough to finish third in the long jump and tenth in the high jump at the Pac-10 Track and Field Championships, Nelson Rosario has the chance to give the Bruins a very effective deep threat and the playmaker their offense so desperately needs.