UCLA will kick off the new college football season and the first game in the Chip Kelly era a bit shorthanded. On Monday, UCLA suspended six players for the season opener this weekend against Cincinnati for what is simply being reported as a violation of athletic department policy. Tight end Devin Asiasi, running back Soso Jamabo, defensive linemen Osa Odighizuwa and Moses Robinson-Carr, defensive back Mo Osling, and offensive lineman Boss Tagaloa will all sit out of UCLA’s home game against Cincinnati on September 1.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported the news of the suspension, via Twitter.
Devin Asiasi, Soso Jamabo, Osa Odighizuwa, Mo Osling, Moses Robinson-Carr
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 27, 2018
and Boss Tagaloa won't play for #UCLA this week vs #Cincy for a violation of athletic dept. policy.
Jamabo is one of UCLA’s top running backs returning in 2018 after rushing for 446 yards and a team-high six touchdowns last season for the Bruins in 10 games. The absence of Jamabo will likely mean more carries for senior Bolu Olorunfunmi, last year’s leading rusher for UCLA, as well as some younger options that could take advantage of the opportunity. Branden Stephens may be the most liekly to get a few more rushing attempts as a result.
Tagaloa started eight games for UCLA in 2017 and recorded 32 tackles with one sack. In nine games, Tagaloa recorded multiple tackles a year after playing in 12 games as a reserve lineman and on special teams.
Odighizuwa played in 13 games last season and recorded 15 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and a sack as a backup.
Osling played in 13 games as . abackup defensive back and saw time on special teams by returning kicks. Osling recorded 18 tackles and returned nine kickoffs for an average of 18.0 yards per return.
Robinson-Carr played as a backup tight end and on special teams last season. He started one game and caught one pass for four yards.
Asiasi sat out the 2017 season after transferring to UCLA from Michigan.
UCLA has not released a depth chart for this weekend’s game at this time.
UPDATE: Now, UCLA has a depth chart. Redshirt junior Joshua Kelly sits atop the depth chart at running back. Kelley did not play in 2017 after transferring from UC Davis. No starting quarterback has been decided on at this time.
Another Monday surprise: #UCLA has released a depth chart!
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) August 27, 2018
A not surprise: it does not feature a firm starting quarterback. Kelly said it's still close between Speight, Modster and DTR. pic.twitter.com/pl4H7jUuby