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UCLA Football: 5 Takeaways From the 2016 Season

By Mike Regalado

Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) and defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) celebrate after a hit in the first quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) and defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) celebrate after a hit in the first quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Defense Is Good Peoples

The Bruin defense made massive improvements from last season. In 2015, UCLA had a horrendous run defense which allowed teams to literally run over them, especially in the last half of the season.

This season, with a healthy roster and a dedication to stopping the run, Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley made sure his Bruins were ready for 2016.

The Bruin defense proved themselves time and time again. With the offense not being able to run much of anything, the defense kept UCLA in games and kept them close. Unfortunately, with the D doing most of the work, they would get run down in games and eventually through the end of the season.

Still, going forward this is going to be the strength of the Bruins. No matter what happens with the offense, Bradley should have this defense clicking on all cylinders. He also has a lot of young guys that he can utilize next season so they should continue to improve in 2017.