Among the biggest question marks for UCLA basketball heading in to 2013 is the battle at running back. That is actually nothing new to everyone who uses the Bruins, as the transcendent senior year of Johnathan Franklin was destined to finish eventually. Through seven spring procedures, there is little in the manner of a front-runner to replace UCLA's all-time leading rusher, but there certainly are a few viable individuals who will be competitive for starting snaps next time. Upperclassmen Jordan James and Damien Thigpen may have the slight edge as a result of knowledge, though Thigpen is rehabbing from an ACL tear. But as Jim Mora's fashion demands, an open place challenge goes to the best singer on the area, so do not count out a young gun like Paul Perkins or a good traditional payoff history in Malcolm Jones to move things up.AAnd while this opposition will probably play out for weeks or months before complete solution, the Bruins devoted are itching for a remedy. That's going to function as No. 1 working straight back next year? It's much too early to guess, but it is worth taking a look to see which people have the within track on playing time. UCLA's foremost hope is that Damien Thigpen fully recovers from his injury and may get where he left off in 2012. Before you go down in the USC game, Thigpen had gathered 445 yards of total crime and four touchdowns. He posted a wholesome 5.2 yards-per-carry average on 50 variations while also tallying 18 receptions by having an average of 10.2 meters per. Thigpen's two TDs vs. ASU in 2012. ThigpenAwas actually very proficient at leaking out of the backfield as a radio, which will be clearly a massive component of unpleasant planner Noel Mazzone's spread attack. In addition to the typical dump-offs and screens,AThigpenAshowed his flexibility downfield with some well-timed wheel channels. To see some of Thigpen's features, browse the two-minute and 3:45 marks of the embedded video. Spoiler alert: This kid has wheels. To be frank, I really do not feel the Bruins have another back with the kind of home work potential that Thigpen includes. His capability to play next time might be a key determinant in the Bruins' success in general. The sole other returning player with production comparable to Thigpen is yards were managed 419 by Jordan James, who of total offense and three touchdowns through 14 games. If Thigpen eventually ends up being useless post-injury, James looks the following selection in the line of succession. The growing redshirt freshman has found some shake-and-bake skills so far in his career, but he's maybe not produced the reliability of a lead selection just yet. In reality, he only mustered 3.5 YPC on 61 efforts last season, which certainly won't reduce it for a starter. With having said that, James was a great goal in the passing game this past year, gaining 204 meters on 28 attracts. His functions as a device must make him a valuable tool, if he can continue steadily to develop as a reliable runner. If Thigpen is a move, James will be a large part of the Bruins offense and must start to see the field plenty. Just in case you are not sure, think about this twitter from Edward Lewis of Rivals' Bruin Sports Report: After Thigpen and James, the pickings get slimmer, particularly with regards to knowledge. Growing senior Malcolm Jones, despite entering his final period of college football, has yet to establish a name for himself in Westwood. After notching 10 meters on three bears in the opener at Rice, Jones decided to keep the group in search of a transfer. But, after basically losing a year of eligibility, the former Gatorade National HS Player of the Year chose to stay with the Bruins as a walk-on. It's tough to tell if Jones has much left showing off, but he was not a 4-star prospectAfor nothing back 2010. Must Jones appear a serious contender and find himself, it would be a big benefit to the UCLA crime. He's definitely an X-factor to view on the list in 2013, but he'll need certainly to prove herself to the team and training staff he almost abandoned. After these three upperclassmen, there are a couple of younger people who are hoping to get active in the discussion. Redshirt newcomer Paul Perkins has been the fashionable pick cast around recently, largely because everyone is holding out hope that this child could be the real thing. Perkins measures in at 5'10" and 198 pounds, which is larger than both Thigpen and James (although Jones is definitely an imposing 6'0", 220 pounds). So where issues of longevity encompass the smaller shells, Perkins has the advantage of being fully a bruiser. His contribution may be mostly short-yardage situations, but that's nothing to scoff at for a newcomer. Steven ManfroBrendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports Redshirt sophomore Steven Manfro can be possible, albeit a contradictory one. The once-fan favorite quickly became a simple scapegoat when he fell prey to the dreadful fumble-itis. The majority of his bobbles got on punt-catching miscues, but that still doesn't inspire confidence and guarantee more variations. Nevertheless, when he did hold on to the ball, Manfro was one of the most electrical athletes on the roster. He's an extraordinary 8.8 YPC average, and while it was on only ten attempts, it's still something to work well with. Toss in his 287 yards getting for good measure, and it is clear Manfro could be a genuine option for UCLA. If he protects his handle on the rock, there's no reason he could not jump to the rotation as well. There are certainly a lot of Bruins chomping at the bit to get in on the activity in the backfield, as you will see. Based only on knowledge and established output, Thigpen and James amount to obtain the very first look, but Jones, Perkins and actually Manfro may play a role. The chance is there for everyone this spring. Whoever elevates his sport and sticks out from the group can earn the starting nod, while the rest jockey for position in the playing-time pyramid.
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