UCLA Bruins Slot Receiver Duo Ready To Explode Vs. Hawaii

There is plenty of excitement ahead of DeShaun Foster’s first season as head coach of the UCLA Bruins . One of the most intriguing parts will be what the offense will look like under longtime NFL offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy.

When the Bruin’s depth chart finally dropped this week a pleasant surprise was found. They have more than one slot receiver on the roster.

Two Slot Receivers Opens Up The UCLA Bruins Offense

The surprise was that former Notre Dame transfer, Rico Flores was not only listed among the top two receivers, but he had also supplanted six-year senior Logan Loya at the top.

“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 Flores’s emergence isn’t good news for Loya, it is good news for Bieniemy. In his years with the Chiefs and with the Washington Commanders, Bieniemy often had two high-volume receivers play out of the slot. Most recently, he had Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson in that role. They were targeted 90 times last year.

Last year as a true freshman, Flores caught the second most passes (27) for the Irish and that was done mostly as a wideout. At 6’2″ 205, he is certainly the prototypical outside threat. Moving him inside will create mismatches against small nickel corners or slow linebackers.

Loya has played almost exclusively in the slot. Last season was his biggest year to date. He caught 58 passes for 649 yards, leading the team in both statistics.

Flores’ versatility means the offense can keep him on the field for more snaps and they can pair him with J. Michael Sturdivant on the outside and put Loya in the slot.

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