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UCLA Football Position Group Analysis – Defensive Backs

By Mike Regalado

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 /
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Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Go Joe Bruin continues the position group analysis of the UCLA Football team post-2016 as we now examine the defensive backs heading into 2017.

The one consistent on the defense for the UCLA Football in 2016 was the defensive backs. Head Coach Jim Mora has hung his hat on his secondary and has said he would put them up against the best in the country.

This past season was no different. The Bruins were stacked with talent and deep enough to have every secondary position (including the nickel) prepared for battle.

So with several changes to the team, what will happen with the defensive backs?

Related Story: UCLA Football Position Group Analysis: Linebackers

The State of the Defensive Backs

The UCLA DBs were the best part of a defense that improved from the previous year. Once again the secondary was in control of their settings, though there were a few games where the opposition slipped through the cracks (the offense not controlling the clock did not help matters).

Either way, the Bruins were on top of their game as they had the 3rd best pass defense in the Pac-12, only allowing 210.5 passing yards per game. They were 2nd in passing yards per play with 5.7, 3rd in interceptions with 15 and allowed the fewest touchdowns through the air with 12.

Going forward, UCLA should be alright in the secondary even though they lose five players to graduation. Will that hamper the Bruins in 2017? Maybe, but UCLA is deep in the secondary and have a lot of very talent players ready to take over next season.

Key Losses

Randall Goforth – graduation

Marcus Rios – graduation

Fabian Moreau – graduation

Tahaan Goodman – graduation

Charles Dawson – graduation

2017 Commitments

Quentin Lake, CB, 3*, 6’1″, 175 lbs. (Mater Dei HS/Santa Ana, CA)

Jaylan Shaw, CB, 4*, 5’11”, 170 lbs. (Centennial HS/Corona, CA)