Oh, what a difference a year makes.

Last August, UCLA barreled into college football season surrounded by smoke and pyrotechnics — a promising team that became a too-popular pick for the national title. This August, despite a top-10 finish in 2014, the Bruins aren’t even favored to win their own division.

Heading into preseason training camp at Cal State San Bernardino on Monday, many players are likely making sure the chips on their shoulders are tightly lodged in. Here’s a position-by-position look at how the team stands.

QUARTERBACK

Who will replace Brett Hundley? Seven months have passed since Josh Rosen enrolled at UCLA — seven months that extinguished much of the intrigue surrounding this question.

While Jim Mora has yet to officially name a starting quarterback, the main concern for the Bruins is less a matter of who than of how. How will Rosen fare when he finally faces the roar of the Rose Bowl?

Jerry Neuheisel, who backed up Hundley last year, and former walk-on Mike Fafaul are important for depth and for fostering competitive practices, but neither are as capable of elevating the Bruins’ offense.

Player to watch: Josh Rosen. He’s an obvious pick, but so much of UCLA’s season rides on his performance.

RUNNING BACK

Returning the conference’s leading rusher puts the UCLA backfield in very good position. The depth there makes it even better.

Paul Perkins wasn’t the flashiest running back in the country, but few were more consistent. On his way to 1,575 yards in 2014, he only failed to clear 90 in three games — with his season low being a respectable 78. Of the 13 Pac-12 running backs who had at least 130 carries, he was the only one who averaged more than 6.0 yards per touch.

UCLA also has several backup options. Nate Starks rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman. Senior Steve Manfro is almost a year removed from his ACL tear. Five-star recruit Soso Jamabo is available too.

Player to watch: Nate Starks. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, he’s one of the bigger backs on UCLA’s roster, and can ensure that the Bruins don’t overwork Paul Perkins.

RECEIVER

UCLA had a crew of several good receivers last season, and returns almost every significant member of that rotation. But the Bruins haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver in the Mora era, with Jordan Payton missing the mark by 46 yards last season. This is partly a function of Noel Mazzone’s offense, but the lack of explosive targets has hurt the cause too. As dependable as Payton was, he thrived on breaking tackles — not shaking loose in the open field.

Player to watch: Mossi Johnson. Four other UCLA receivers topped his 232 receiving yards in 2014, but the sophomore has been a practice standout.

OFFENSIVE LINE

After giving up 128 sacks in the past three seasons, UCLA’s offensive line looks like the best it’s been in years. Four linemen have at least 20 starts under the belt, including fourth-year starting center Jake Brendel. But the best player in the unit might be left tackle Conor McDermott, who transformed the Bruins’ line when he moved to first string last October.

Player to watch: Simon Goines. If he’s healthy enough to win the starting job at right tackle, then junior Caleb Benenoch could shift back to guard — the position for which he was originally recruited.

DEFENSIVE LINE

This could be a truly scary part of the UCLA defense. Kenny Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes make for what should be the best defensive line tandem in the conference, and both could leave for the NFL in less than a year.

The rest of the rotation has some promise too, if not necessarily ideal numbers. Takkarist McKinley enrolled last fall as a midseason JUCO transfer and notched 2.5 sacks. Sophomores Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and Matt Dickerson both had good spring camps.

Player to watch: Matt Dickerson. While he’s unlikely to win a starting spot, the defensive end’s development is crucial for the Bruins’ depth on the line.

LINEBACKER

Tackling machine Eric Kendricks is off to the NFL, as is former defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Both were instrumental in building UCLA’s new pipeline of talented linebackers.

The cupboard is far from empty, however. Do-it-all star Myles Jack is watch-listed for the Butkus Award, which Kendricks won last year. Next to him is Kenny Young, a four-star recruit who started six games as a true freshman. On the outside, Deon Hollins led the team with nine sacks last season, notching six in his last four games. Watching what new defensive coordinator Tom Bradley does with them will be fun to track.

Player to watch: Cameron Griffin. It probably won’t happen during camp, but don’t rule the former rugby player has a chance to become a starter by the end of his redshirt freshman season.

DEFENSIVE BACK

This is an above-average defensive backfield with a chance at becoming something more. UCLA needs a shutdown corner, and Fabian Moreau still has potential to get there after an underwhelming junior campaign. Safety Randall Goforth is a vocal leader who returns after losing 2014 to shoulder injuries. When Goforth was sidelined, Jaleel Wadood stepped in and played like one of the best true freshmen in the Pac-12.

Player to watch: Marcus Rios. His emergence in spring camp could force All-Pac-12 first-teamer Ishmael Adams to move from corner to nickel.

SPECIAL TEAMS

There are many known quantities on UCLA’s special teams unit. The Bruins have excelled at kick and punt return coverage in the last three years, something that figures to be the case again this fall. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is solid, but only inside 35 yards. Ishmael Adams is one of the conference’s most dangerous returners.

But the truly exciting prospect? Myles Jack getting some action in the open field. The linebacker isn’t needed as a part-time running back anymore, but he did practice sparingly as a returner near the end of spring camp.

Player to watch: Myles Jack. He might not see an in-game snap as a returner, but if he does — watch out.

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