UCLA Football: Projecting the Depth Charts – Secondary
Go Joe Bruin finishes off the projected defensive depth charts as we look at the UCLA Football defensive backs.
This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the deepest group on the UCLA Football team. If the Bruins have been doing well at recruiting a certain defensive player, it is the DBs.
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This year the secondary is at least three-deep at each one of the positions as DB Coach Demetrice Martin has done an excellent job developing this squad and the results are proof of that.
Last year, UCLA had the top pass defense in the Pac-12 Conference, allowing only 203.2 yards per game through the air. That looks like it could be repeated this year because the Bruins have another strong secondary.
The thing about this team is even though they might have three of the four starting DB positions secured, the Bruins have a slew of players ready to help out and back-up the secondary.
UCLA Bruins
Left Cornerback
Fabian Moreau, 6’0″, 202 lbs., R-Sr.
John Johnson, 6’0″, 190 lbs., R-Jr.
Denzel Fisher, 6’1″, 175 lbs., R-So.
Keyon Riley, 6’0″, 190 lbs., Fr.
Safety
Jaleel Wadood, 5’10”, 175 lbs., Jr.
Adarius Pickett, 5’11”, 202 lbs., R-So.
Octavius Spencer, 5’11”, 175 lbs., So.
Will Lockett, 5’11”, 185 lbs., R-Fr.
Jason Baker, 6’1″, 185 lbs., R-Fr.
Safety
Randall Goforth, 5’10”, 190 lbs., R-Sr.
Tahaan Goodman, 6’2″, 202 lbs. Sr.
DeChaun Holiday, 6’2″, 215 lbs., R-Fr.
Brandon Burton, 6’1″, 200 lbs., Fr.
Right Cornerback
Nate Meadors, 6’0″, 190 lbs., So.
Marcus Rios, 5’11”, 190 lbs., R-Sr.
Colin Samuel, 6’3″, 198 lbs., Fr.
Charles Dawson, 5’9″, 190 lbs., Sr.
Dylan Luther, 5’11”, 200 lbs., R-Jr.
From what we have heard in fall camp is that three starting spots have been locked up, Moreau at left corner and Wadood and Goforth at the safety spots. On the right side, though we had predicted Rios to get the nod in a previous depth chart, Meadors has stepped up and is showing a lot of progress.
This does not mean Rios is out as a starter, but rather the competition at that DB position is intense. Whoever starts at any given spot will not only have earned it because they are they best for that position, but they will also have a lot of help behind them. This is a team sport after all.
That notion could be instilled for several players, including Johnson who is giving Moreau a run for his money on the other side of the field. The same could be said about Goodman who DB Coach Demetrice Martin has said is maturing and knows his role among the defense.
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Though they may not be in the mix for a starting spot (yet), players like Fisher, Pickett, Holiday, Spencer and Samuel are all showing improvement and are adding to this talented unit. What that means is the UCLA defensive backs will not only be good this year, but they are making sure that the Bruins will be good in the secondary for may seasons to come.