Now that Spring Practice is over, it’s time to look forward to the 2016 UCLA Football season. If the Bruins want to meet their high expectations, the one thing they must do is improve their defense.
Are the pieces there for the UCLA Football team to become one of the elite defenses in the country?
Can their defense lead them to a Pac-12 or national championship? It can, but many things need to improve and certain players have to step up for it to happen.
The most obvious improvement Bruin fans would like to see is against the run. Too many times last season we saw the Bruin defense get shredded in the running game, allowing the opponent to control the clock and leaving little time for the offense to get things done.
Stopping the run begins up front and getting Eddie Vanderdoes back should make the defensive line more difficult to push around. Vanderdoes missed all of last season with a knee injury but how quickly he can shake off the rust and return to his All-Conference form will go a long way to defensive success.
With the defense moving towards more of a 4-3 defense, other defensive lineman will need to step up as well including junior college transfer Nick Terry who could move right into the starting lineup at defensive tackle. Last year, Eli Ankou and Matt Dickerson showed flashes that they could be outstanding defenders, but this year they need to become consistent performers that the coaching staff can count on.
Next: How The Defense Can Become Elite, Part 2
How The Defense Can Become Elite, Part 2
The defensive line wasn’t the only factor when it came to the poor run defense, the linebackers (partly because of injuries), also struggled at times. This year every linebacker not named Myles Jack returns and another year of playing in Tom Bradley’s system could do wonders for the defense.
On the outside Jayon Brown was arguably the best player on the field for the Bruins in spring practice while Josh Woods showed that he has the potential to be one of the best linebackers in the conference.
Related Story: Post-NFL Draft Takeaways
Even early enrollee freshman Lokeni Toailoa showed that he could contribute this year. And we haven’t even mentioned 5-star recruit Mique Juarez who was slowed in the spring with a concussion but could be a big part of the defense in the fall.
With the outside looking well fortified, the Bruins need the middle to be shored up by either Kenny Young or Isaako Savaiinaea. Both got plenty of work with the first team in the spring and although both showed they could play well, neither snatched the starting position away from the other. One of them has to become a team leader and someone that can become an anchor in the middle of the defense.
Next: How The Defense Can Become Elite, Part 3
How The Defense Can Become Elite, Part 3
Stopping the run is only one way for the UCLA defense to become elite, because the pass defense will get tested all year with the likes of Texas A&M, Arizona, Cal, and Washington State all on the schedule.
UCLA Bruins
Cornerback has been a soft spot in the UCLA defense for years but this could change in 2016. Head Coach Jim Mora has said for years that Fabian Moreau has the talent to become a first round NFL draft pick.
This is the year Moreau needs to play like it by locking down the opponent’s number one receiver. He missed all of spring because he’s still recovering from the foot injury that cost him most of the 2015 season. However, he is expected to be a full go when fall camp opens and he needs to hit the ground running come August.
There are three Bruins that could potentially start on the opposite side of Moreau, but the person with the most potential is Nathan Meadors. The sophomore from San Bernardino played really well in the spring and could turn out to be a mainstay in the Bruins’ secondary.
The safety position is in good hands as well. Under Mora, the UCLA safeties have been one of the most physical and hard hitting groups in the country. Experience won’t be a problem either with two seniors and a junior helping man the back line of the defense. Tahaan Goodman had a tremendous spring and will need to become an all-conference performer this season. If Randall Goforth and Jaleel Wadood can avoid the injury bug that bit the Bruins last year, this secondary could rival any school in the nation.
Next: How The Defense Can Become Elite, Part 4
How The Defense Can Become Elite, Part 4
To be successful against the pass, it isn’t just the secondary that has to contribute. The Bruins have to get heat on the quarterback and they have a handful of athletes that can do it. In the spring, Takkarist McKinley could not be stopped from turning the corner and getting to the quarterback. He gave the offensive lineman fits with his speed and ability to knock down passes.
Related Story: 5 Bruins That Could Get Selected in the 2017 NFL Draft
The Bruins will need him to continue to do that in his final season in blue and gold. McKinley will also need help from teammates Deon Hollins and Keisean Lucier-South. Lucier-South was considered one of the best pass rushers in the country coming out of high school and if he can do the same on the collegiate level the Bruins pass rush will be dominant.
The final thing UCLA needs to become an elite defense is something Bruin fans are all too familiar with…penalties. It doesn’t mean much if you stop a team on 3rd and 9 only to have that yellow hankie come floating in for a defensive holding call. Too many times in the Mora era UCLA fans have been ecstatic to stop a team on 3rd down only to have the Bruin defense retreat 15 yards because of a penalty. Under Mora the Bruins have become an aggressive, physical, hard hitting unit but also one that lacks discipline. That has to change this year.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Next: UCLA Football Highly Ranked in ESPN's Football Power Index
All these players mentioned earlier could all have career years but if they can’t cut down the penalties, then the dream of having an elite defense in Westwood will continue to be just a dream.