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UCLA Football Position Group Analysis – Defensive Line

By Ashley Tellier

Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon State Beavers at the line against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon State Beavers at the line against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman  (91) looks on from the bench in the second half of the game against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl. USC won 36-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman  (91) looks on from the bench in the second half of the game against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl. USC won 36-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential 2017 Depth Chart

LDE: Jaelan Phillips, Cassius Peat

DT: Boss Tagaloa, Nick Terry

DT: Matt Dickerson, Greg Rogers

RDE: Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Rick Wade

What’s Working?

Quite a few things are working for the Bruins defensive line, actually.

More from Go Joe Bruin

The UCLA Football team was second in the Pac-12 in total tackles with 885, tied for second in interceptions with 15, and tied for fourth in sacks with 25.

If I had to attribute these impressive stats to something, it would be to experience. The Bruins D-line was staffed with some athletic juniors and seniors, a luxury other position groups couldn’t count on.

In addition, the explosiveness of Takk McKinley was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, UCLA Football can’t rely on the latter next year as the senior will likely be making some noise in the NFL by then.

Nevertheless, recruiting for the D-line continues to improve, as the Bruins will be adding some high-level talent to their roster, including 5-star recruit Jaelan Phillips.

The experience of Tuioti-Mariner, Dickerson, Tagaloa, plus the addition of Phillips, Rogers, and Peat is why I feel confident the D-line could be even more impressive next year.

What Needs to Improve?

Consistency. Although the Bruins’ defensive line stole the show in many games, it also fell short in some important games… and one in particular comes to mind. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?

Against Utah, the entire Bruins’ defense got overrun like it was nobody’s business. Really, UCLA made a running back who had recently come out of retirement look like a Heisman candidate. It was a game surely we have all made a silent pact to forget.

Next: Takk, EV Projected 1st Round Draft Picks

But comes next season, the D-line should stay as consistent as possible to help a battered UCLA squad do better than 4-8. Otherwise, the Bruins might just be looking at another doomed season under head coach Jim Mora. And we wouldn’t want that to happen to the Bruin Revolution, would we?