Two days ago, we projected the 2015 UCLA Football Offensive 2-Deep Depth Chart, which means that it is now time to look at the Go Joe Bruin projected defensive 2-deep depth chart for the 2015 season. Though the biggest question is not which Bruins will break out next season or even what scheme they will use, it is in fact “who will be the next defensive coordinator?”
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Though head coach Jim Mora is taking his time with the search after Jeff Ulbrich left for the Atlanta Falcons, we took it upon ourselves to look ahead at what we think will be the starters and back-ups for the Bruins next season.
Mora has been insistent on using a 3-4 defense (3 defensive linemen, 4 linebackers) with a the occasional implementation of a nickel defense (five defensive backs). Ulbrich had utilized the nickel a lot more than his predecessor Lou Spanos and even though UCLA currently does not have a defensive coordinator, it is not that far-fetched to believe that the Bruins will continue to use those schemes. So let us take a look at who and what the Bruins will use in this next season.
DE: Takkarist McKinley, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
DT: Kenny Clark, Eli Ankou
DE: Eddie Vanderdoes, Matt Dickerson
November 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Javorius Allen (37) is brought down by UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
-The defensive line got thin really quick. The human bulldozer Owamagbe Odighizuwa will be off to the NFL draft after graduating. It will already be tough for UCLA to try and replace him, but a few weeks ago, it came out that junior back-up DL Ellis McCarthy was going to try his luck at the next level. That leaves the Bruins reeling and though they have a solid starting line, they will be very young and inexperienced with their back-ups.
It also does not help the Bruins that they were only able to lure one defensive lineman on National Signing Day with in-coming freshman Rick Wade. Though the Bruins should be set in a 2-deep depth chart, that does not bode well for them if injuries hit the DL. Because of that, there could be a chance that we see some players switching positions and more than likely see some of the Bruin’s more athletic and agile offensive linemen heading to the other side of the ball.
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
LB: Myles Jack, Keisean Lucier-South
LB: Kenny Young, Isaako Savaiinaea
LB: Deon Hollins, Kenny Orjioke
-Bare in mind that the Bruins could have a base defensive, like the 3-4, but will also move players around and use several different schemes depending on the offenses they go up against. Because of that, we will see different variations of the 3-4/nickel. Though we only have three spots listed here, we could see one or more of the back-ups playing along side the three listed starters.
Either way, we are going to see the emergence of Myles Jack as THE main linebacking threat for the Bruins and even though Eric Kendricks will have moved on, UCLA will not be without talent.
Throughout the 2014 season, we saw the emergence of two very skilled and menacing linebackers in Hollins and Young. Not only are they freakishly athletic, but they have the talent play both on line and in coverage.
Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Deon Hollins (58) puts pressure on Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) during the first half of the 2015 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest surprise on the team could come from in-coming freshman Keisean Lucier-South who could be the pass rusher the Bruins sorely missed in 2014. The Bruins were blessed with Anthony Barr in the two years he was a linebacker for the Bruins, but once he went to the NFL, pass rushing seemed to be a thing of the past. That will not be the case as KLS will help out in that department, as well as the ever-improving aggressive stylings of Deon Hollins and Takkarist McKinley.
UCLA Bruins
NB: Tahaan Goodman, ???
DB: Ishmael Adams, Marcus Rios
DB: Jaleel Wadood, DeChaun Holiday
DB: Randall Goforth, Priest Willis
DB: Fabian Moreau, Jalen Ortiz
-So here is where we talk about the nickel situation with UCLA in the secondary. As of now, it is not certain that the Bruins will be married to the five defensive back formation as they were in 2014. The new Defensive Coordinator, whoever that may be, could very well abandon the nickel for a more staright forward 3-4 defense that utilizes only four defensive players in the secondary. But following Jim Mora the last three years, it is possible that he insists on having a nickel in his back pocket for insurance purposes.
With that being said, UCLA is deep in the secondary. They not only have several players returning in 2015, but have a solid group of in-coming freshmen DBs as the Bruins landed six players on National Signing Day.
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting with the nickel position, Tahaan Goodman is the most likely candidate to play the LB/DB hybrid spot, though he could easily get the call to start at safety. If not, Randall Goforth, who ended his 2014 season early with a shoulder injury will get the starting spot along side one of the biggest surprises in the Bruin defense with Jaleel Wadood.
As for the cornerbacks, expect returning starters Ish Adams and Fabian Moreau to pick up where they left off, except this time they will be more deadly reprising their roles.
No matter what the formations and schemes are, expect a more fierce Bruin D in 2015.