LOS ANGELES — UCLA returns its two most visible offensive talents in quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet, but whether the explosive duo has the time and space to repeat their 2021 success may depend on a new-look offensive line.

The Bruins are losing three starters on their offensive line in tackles Alec Anderson and Sean Rhyan, who left early for the NFL, and left guard Paul Grattan Jr., who has exhausted his college eligibility. While center Sam Marrazzo and right guard Jon Gaines II will return, more than half of an offensive line that helped UCLA average over 200 rushing yards per game in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1987 will be shuffled.

“That’s just the evolution of football,” UCLA head coach Chip Kelly said. “You don’t get to keep them. This isn’t the NFL. You can’t keep guys 5, 6, 7, 8 years. It’s the nature of it. It’s going to roll over at some point in time and we’re confident in some of the young guys.”

Kelly pointed to the experience of Marrazzo and Gaines along with Duke Clemens, a guard who started in place of the injured Marrazzo at center for most of last season. Marrazzo is entering his sixth year in the program, Gaines his fifth and Clemens his fourth.

Gaines plans to take a page from Thompson-Robinson’s leadership mentality to mentor whoever slides into the starting positions.

“As an offensive line unit, it’s our job to lead from the front,” Gaines said. “I’ll take it upon myself and Duke and Sam – all of us having that mentality and bringing that to the young guys. We know that we have to set the standard every single day.”

Garrett DiGiorgio – who made one start at right tackle last season as a true freshman out of Serrano High in Phelan – has been getting reps at left tackle during spring practice and Josh Carlin is on the other side at right tackle. Carlin, a redshirt junior, saw action as a reserve in all 12 games last season.

Kelly said DiGiorgio was “outstanding” during the offseason and Day 1 of spring practice and also brought up redshirt sophomore Bruno Fina as another young player to watch. Benjamin Roy Jr., a sophomore, was singled out by Clemens as his standout youngster on the offensive line.

Raiqwon O’Neal, a transfer from Rutgers, is expected to arrive in Westwood over the summer and should also contend for a tackle position. And in a twist, Tyler Manoa, who has been on the defensive line for four years, has been moved to right tackle. Kelly said moving Manoa to offensive tackle is “the best position for him to get in on the field,” an indication that the tackle spots are up for grabs.

Gaines and Clemens said they liked what they saw out of Manoa in the first week of spring practice.

“His motivation to want to learn and get better as an offensive lineman now, it’s really refreshing to see,” Clemens said. “He really wants to get out there and play and help the team – and help himself.”

UCLA also has a new offensive line coach in Tim Drevno, who was promoted from analyst after Justin Frye – the Bruins’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach last season – left for Ohio State.

Drevno, who has recently coached the offensive line at USC, Michigan and for the San Francisco 49ers, has “done a good job in transitioning into his style of coaching while trying to keep the same terms and the same concepts that Coach Frye brought,” according to Clemens.

Regardless of what the retooled offensive line looks like when the season rolls around, the veterans are sure they’ll be motivated to perform well – especially with Thompson-Robinson back as the signal caller.

“It was really big, having a familiar face behind you,” Clemens said of the quarterback returning. “It just brings you a lot of trust, to be able to make the right plays and score us a lot of touchdowns.”

Gaines said he’s never played with another college quarterback besides Thompson-Robinson, and is glad that isn’t changing.

“He’s a leader,” Gaines said. “He knows the offense better than anybody on the field. He’s a proven player. He brings that mentality to the team, to the offense and that’s just how we approach every game together.”

Notes

In its third practice of the spring Saturday, UCLA took the field in full pads for the first time. Running backs coach DeShaun Foster said it was “definitely” easier to evaluate players, quipping: “When you’re in pajamas, it’s not really football.” …

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