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UCLA Football Spring Practice Preview – Linebackers

By Mike Regalado

Oct 3, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Isaako Savaiinaea (44) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils running back Demario Richard (4) during the game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Isaako Savaiinaea (44) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils running back Demario Richard (4) during the game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the UCLA Football team switching to the 4-3 formation on defense, we examine the changes it makes to the linebacking crew and how the players are developing with these changes.

2015 was a tough year for the UCLA Football team especially when it came to injuries. The Bruins had several significant players go down at various points of the season, the biggest one being linebacker Myles Jack. It was a harsh reality but the Bruins had to get over it.

With several holes to fill, Linebacker Coach Scott White had a lot to juggle with not that much depth. Fortunately he had a few players that stepped up, accelerated their progress and became an asset to the linebacking corps. With the rapid development of a few players, the linebackers should be a much improved unit this spring.

Projected Depth Chart

Outside Linbacker: Jayon Brown (6’0″, 220 lbs.), Cameron Judge (6’1″, 230 lbs.), Breland Brandt (6’4″, 220 lbs.)

Inside Linebacker: Isaako Savaiinaea (6’2″, 250 lbs.), Kenny Young (6’1″, 235 lbs.), Lokeni Toailoa (6’1″, 190 lbs.)

Outside Linebacker: Mique Juarez (6’2″, 235 lbs.), Josh Woods (6’3″, 215 lbs.), Dwight Williams (6’0″, 205 lbs.)

Related Story: UCLA Football Spring Practice Preview - Defensive Line

Let us start with Jayon Brown, the savior of the linebacking unit who came out of nowhere after Myles Jack went down. Brown logged a team-high 93 tackles (57 solo, 36 assisted) as he developed right in front of Bruin fan’s eyes.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

The same thing can be said about Savaiinaea who emerged in the second half of the season. With many young linebackers being forced to play, he and Brown assimilated to the game plan the quickest and because of that should own two of the starting spots among the linebackers this spring.

The other starting spot could be a toss up, but it seems that the new kid on the block will start right away. That kid was the highest rated high school linebacker in the nation last season, Mique Juarez, who has enrolled for UCLA’s spring quarter. Juarez is essentially Myles Jack reincarnated. He is a bit more raw than Jack, but essentially has the tools to elevate the linebacking unit as Jack did.

Behind them are several players that have been slower to develop, but should be more of a factor going into this spring. Young, Woods and Judge all have game experience and are talented enough to be featured regularly in the rotation but have to prove themselves.

Williams needs to develop a bit more, which we hopefully see the results of this spring, though signs indicate that he is grasping the position better than ever. UCLA will also have two early enrollees from this most recent National Signing Day with Brandt and Toailoa. Toailoa will need time to develop while Brandt could see time with the defensive line.

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Overall, it appears as though the Bruins should have no problem adjusting to the 4-3 defense. With the development of the younger players going well, we could see a much improved group of Bruin linebackers in 2016.