National Signing Day: Analyzing the 2016 UCLA Football Recruiting Class

Defensive Line

Breland Brandt, DE, Los Angeles, CA (Windward), 6’4″, 220, 4*

Jake Burton, DE,  El Cajon, CA (Granite Hills), 6’6″, 260, 3*

Marcus Moore, DE, Encino, CA (Crespi), 6’3″, 240, 3*

Chigozie Nnoruka, DE, (American River), 6’2″, 285, NR

Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Portland, OR (Douglas), 6’2.5″, 260, 3*

Boss Tagaloa, DT, Concord, CA (De La Salle), 6’1″, 295, 4*

Nick Terry, DT, Elk Grove, CA (American River), 6’4″, 295, 3*

Just like the receiving unit, the defensive line is another position group that got a huge boost on National Signing Day.

After getting only one defensive lineman last season (Rick Wade) the Bruins more than stocked up with seven players this year. After UCLA’s run defense woes in 2015, which were fueled by injuries and inexperience, Jim Mora and company brought in much depth that is loaded with talent.

The class was already in great shape before NSD, but got kicked up a notch when Boss Tagaloa gave his pledge to the Bruins on ESPN. They also have some very physical players in Breland Brandt and Osa Odighizuwa (younger brother of Owamagbe Odighizuwa) who could immediately compete for back up spots.

On top of that, the Bruins get two players with college experience as American River College transfers Nick Terry and Chigozie Nnoruka bolster a line that was a little weak last season.

Next: Linebackers