UCLA Football: Predicting the Starters – Defense
After analysizing possible depth charts for the UCLA Football defense, Go Joe Bruin takes a look at the possible starting lineup for their September 3 season opener at Texas A&M.
The UCLA Football team has a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Despite losing players like Myles Jack and Kenny Clark, the Bruins have several veterans and young up-and-coming talent that should be able to see the field this season.
Related Story: Predicting the UCLA Football Offensive Starters
UCLA is deep at a lot of positions on the defense, but who are the players that will lead the charge this season? Though we cannot wait to see the various talented Bruin defensemen, only 11 will get the starting nod.
So who do we think will be on the field to start the first game of the year?
UCLA Football Projected Starters
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DT Eli Ankou
OLB Cameron Judge
MLB Kenny Young
OLB Jayon Brown
CB Nate Meadors
Related Story: Predicting the Defensive Line Depth Chart
Related Story: Predicting the Linebacker Depth Chart
Related Story: Predicting the Secondary Depth Chart
If you noticed from our early depth charts, a few of our predicted starters have changed. This is because of what we have seen come out of the first two weeks of fall camp.
On the line, Dickerson has been really impressive and one of the more productive ends that is not McKinley. He looks a lot stronger and is attacking the line with ferocity. Both Dickerson and McKinley are quite aggressive and quick off the edge. This will help Ankou and Vanderdoes in stopping the run and attempting to get into the backfield.
With a certain freshman out with an excused absence, Judge has taken over the rightside LB spot. Both him and Young have done an incredible job leading the LB crew and look very solid with Brown on the other side. Brown continues to improve and is becoming a leader on defense after a stellar breakout season in 2015.
In a very early depth chart, we chose Marcus Rios to be a starting cornerback, but from what we have seen and heard, Meadors is developing into a solid DB. He will handle the sides with Moreau who returns from a season ending injury. Both will continue to lock down receivers and defend the skies, especially with the help of their safeties.
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Unless anything major happens, expect Wadood and Goforth to be the starters at the safety positions all season long. Both have great chemistry and are incredible talents which will help UCLA continue to have the best secondary in the nation.