Zach Charbonnet takes on leadership role for UCLA running backs

LOS ANGELES — Zach Charbonnet has worked to become UCLA’s premier running back quickly and with a signature quiet demeanor. This fall camp, the Bruins are searching for his counterpart.

“You can’t put it all on Zach,” said running backs coach Deshaun Foster on Friday morning. “It’s a two-back system, you’ve just got to be able to stay healthy and you don’t know what’s gonna happen, so I want to get everybody as much as I can.”

Four possibilities for the second running back spot include Keegan Jones, TJ Harden, Deshun Murrell and Kazmeir Allen, according to Foster.

Harden is a freshman and Murrell is a redshirt freshman while Jones and Allen have comparable game experience. Last season, Jones averaged 7.33 yards per game in nine contests and Allen averaged 7.75 yards per game in 12 games.

Head coach Chip Kelly said he has “a lot of confidence” in Jones, and Foster spoke highly of him as well.

“He’s a very fast kid. Talented,” Foster said. “From the south, so he has a little different work ethic than other guys. He knows that his role is going to increase, he’s gonna get the opportunity. He’s just really trying to make sure he makes it to that.”

Charbonnet, an Oaks Christian graduate who played two years at Michigan before transferring to UCLA, is working on becoming a more vocal leader. He said on Friday that talking in meetings and giving presentations has helped him with that. He also, at the encouragement of quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, helped coach a youth football camp for Native American kids over the summer.

“I just had to take on a leadership role, especially this year,” Charbonnet said. “Coming up for the offense and trying to lead those running backs, so that was my main point coming in this off-season was working on my leadership skills and on my vocal skills, too.”

As the UCLA defense finishes its installs in the first week of camp, new defensive coordinator Bill McGovern said that opposing offenses will dictate the defense this season.

“Everybody wants to know are you 3-4, are you 4-3? You gotta be everything,” McGovern said.

“You have to be able to play the different types of coverages. You have to be able to change your coverage. It’s one of those things you have to be multiple in.”

McGovern, who coached in the NFL for the last eight years, said his defense is further along in installs than he thought it would be and is happy to be coaching at the college level once again.

“The kids are excited and they’re eager,” he said. “When you’re up in the pros, there is no other level. You’re either going to be the best or somebody is going to come take your job. Here, these guys are really wanting to work and get to that next level.”