Predicting UCLA's Starting Wide Receivers

Gameday is one week away, and we're going to take a jab at predicting the Bruins' starters against Utah.

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) warms up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins kick off their season in one week against Utah at The Rose Bowl, and there is still a good amount of intrigue around who will be starting for the Bruins.

With that being said, we're going to try to predict UCLA's starters for each position group, moving on to a group that may be one of Tino Sunseri's deepest skill positions -- the wide receivers.

Predicting UCLA's Starting Wide Receivers

Oct 19, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala (2) catches the ball during warm ups before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

WR-X: Kwazi Gilmer, Sophomore

Gilmer is returning from a promising true freshman season and will be one of the Bruins' most important wideouts this season, especially following the departures of Logan Loya and J.Michael Sturdivant. He finished last season with 31 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.

Gilmer noted during training camp that he has his sights set on the Biletnikoff Award this year.

WR-Z: Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, RS Senior

Mokiao-Atimalala will be one of UCLA's leading wide receivers this season, coming off a 2024 campaign that was derailed by injury. The redshirt senior missed three games last season but finished with 28 receptions for 294 yards and a receiving touchdown regardless.

Projected as the Bruins' No. 1 Z receiver, Mokiao-Atimalala may finally have the breakout season UCLA fans have been expecting of him following the departures of most of last season's leading receivers.

WR-Slot: Mikey Matthews, Junior

Matthews comes to the Bruins by way of Cal, along with running back Jaivian Thomas, and is projected to be one of Nico Iamaleava's most targeted receivers this upcoming season. The dynamic slot finished last season with 32 receptions for 272 yards and one touchdown.

Notable Mention - Rico Flores Jr., Junior

Flores is returning for his junior year in Westwood, and he played in the first four games of the 2024 season before sitting out the rest of the year due to injury. Still, he had 12 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown. Beating out Matthews as the primary slot receiver is unlikely, but Flores is poised for a good season.

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