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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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Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) celebrates a play with linebacker Jayon Brown (12) 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) celebrates a play with linebacker Jayon Brown (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Survival of the Defense-DB’s (cont.)

Jaleel Wadood is and has been the starting free safety almost since his freshman year. His ability to plan centerfield gives the Bruins the ability to bring extra rushers and get creative with their defense (although I’ll be the first to admit they often don’t take full advantage of this). While Wadood is rangy and the vocal leader of the back end he can be subject to blown assignments.

Case in point, against Utah last season Wadood was the single high deep safety on a third and one. The Bruins showed man coverage outside and zone underneath. Wadood tried to cheat over to go with the motion shown by Utah despite it being man and was out of position when Utah RB Joe Williams burst through the line for a score. A very poor mistake to make coming from someone with as much experience as Wadood. That is just one example of how his freelancing can backfire against this defense.

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Wadood is also on the small side for a defensive back. Listed at 5’9 185 lbs. Wadood is not the guy you want in jump ball situations or have take a RB head on at the line of scrimmage. He looks bigger than in years past and if he can play at the same speed with more bulk it only bodes well for him.

Adarius Pickett has seen spot duty the past two years on defense and been an ace on special teams but it seems every time he’s in a game he makes plays. That type of production in limited appearances will likely earn him a starting spot at strong safety. A big hitter with above average coverage ability Pickett has gotta be my man crush in this secondary and in my opinion should have been starting last season.

I’ll explain that last sentence. Last year Tahaan Goodman and Randall Goforth were good players for the Bruins and they have for four years. However Goforth could be a liability in coverage and missed tackles in the run game. Goodman suffered from the same problems and didn’t offer the ability to return punts the way Goforth could. Pickett looks to have a higher ceiling than both. He at the very least has a higher floor.

When the Bruins go five defensive backs in their nickel package, and I do consider this a starting position, look for freshman Darnay Holmes to be on the field. His athletic prowess wasn’t exaggerated and he’s been sticky in coverage from camp reports. It takes a special kind of defensive back to play nickel and I expect Holmes to excel at it.