The UCLA coaching vacancy is one of many that will need to be filled before the 2018 season kicks off. The Bruins decided to part ways with coach Jim Mora after finishing 4-6 last season, and stumbling to a 5-6 record this year.
But despite his lackluster performance the last couple of seasons at UCLA, quarterback Josh Rosen says he is still deeply indebted to the departed coach.
“Pretty much everyone in this building is here because of him,” Rosen told ESPN. “We all are forever indebted to him.”
Under his direction, Josh Rosen became one of the most touted quarterback prospects in college football. He’ll more than likely declare for the NFL Draft at the end of this season, and figures to be taken early in the first round.
However, his performance this season has led some to wonder if he is capable of succeeding in the NFL.
Although it’s a virtual certainty that he’ll declare he’ll forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility, he’s not tipping his hand until the season is over.
“I haven’t really talked to my family about that yet,” he said. “That’ll come in the near future, but I mean everything matters when it comes to a decision like that, so I’ll take all the different sorts of variables into the equation, but not quite yet.”
Rosen has been extremely critical of the role of the student-athlete in college football in the past. The only thing that might keep him from declaring for the NFL Draft at the end of the season would be an injury that would cause his draft stock to plummet. Now with coach Jim Mora gone, there is even less incentive for Rosen to return for another year.
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