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UCLA Football: Survival of the Defense – Defensive Backs

By Michael Chavez

Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) tackles Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Grant Jones (37) after a 6 yard gain in the first quarter of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) tackles Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Grant Jones (37) after a 6 yard gain in the first quarter of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) tackles Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Grant Jones (37) after a 6 yard gain in the first quarter of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) tackles Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Grant Jones (37) after a 6 yard gain in the first quarter of the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

In the final installment of “Survival of the Defense” I take a look at the UCLA Football defensive backs and if they can survive losing two of their top starters from last season.

For a few years now we’ve been hearing one of the strengths of this UCLA Football team is the defensive backfield.

Even with the Bruins losing major contributors at four different positions, this unit remains a strength of the team.

UCLA has experienced and talented guys returning this year, not to mention one of the most talented defensive backs they’ve ever recruited is already taking part in spring practice.

Related Story: The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time

Who’s Gone: Fabian Moreau, Marcus Rios, Randall Goforth, Tahaan Goodman

Who’s New: Darnay Holmes, Quentin Lake, Morell Osling, Jaylan Shaw, Elijah Gates

Breakdown:

This unit dealt with an early shakeup during spring when potential starting corner John Johnson abruptly left school with the intention to transfer and play as a graduate student elsewhere. The move was a surprise given that this staff really seemed to like the talent Johnson has and he was in line to start this season.

That alone can speak to a volume of things about which I can only speculate. Head coach Jim Mora made comments about academics but you also have to wonder if Johnson saw the writing on the wall.

Freshman Holmes has been very impressive in his limited spring run and will push for playing time. Throughout his time at UCLA, Johnson had battled the injury bug and perhaps he was nudged in a certain direction by the coaching staff.

Either way the projected four starters have the talent to make this one of the best secondaries in the country and that is no homer comment.

Nate Meadors will start on one side. Meadors is physical almost to a fault. Except he gets right up to that line and then pushes you back away from it. He is now the number one corner for the Bruins and as a junior he has been battle tested. While he can run with almost anyone in the PAC-12 and has good ball skills, he can be a bit grabby which will occasionally draw some laundry.

Opposite him it seems as though Denzel Fisher will get the nod. While he hasn’t had the best time on the field for the Bruins, he hasn’t been deployed in ways that suit his strengths. Another long corner, Fisher thrives when he’s allowed to press his man at the line. UCLA has often lined him up seven to eight yards off the ball forcing him to react rather than dictate the action. Fisher has been impressive this spring from reports and he would give the Bruins another long corner that can re-route receivers at the line.