UCLA Football: Projecting the 2017 depth chart-defensive backs
Safety Depth Chart
Free Safety
- Jaleel Wadood, #4, 5’9″, 180lbs., Sr.
- Octavius Spencer, #18, 5’11”, 180lbs., Jr.
Jaleel Wadood is the old man of this secondary. He’s been roaming the defensive backfield for more than a few years now and despite his smaller frame he’s been a steady force for the Bruins. He’s only logged two interceptions in his career which isn’t optimal for a free safety but he’s rangy, fearless and can drop down to man up on receivers.
Octavius Spencer can play all this secondary. You might see him at SS, FS or CB over the course of 2017. He’s been a part of this team for a few seasons now and gives the Bruins plenty of flexibility. He will likely be buried by the depth on the team at this point but expect to see him as a valuable backup.
Strong Safety Depth Chart
- Adarius Pickett, #6, 5’11”, 195lbs., R-Jr.
- Will Lockett, #23, 5’11”, 190lbs., Jr.
Adarius Pickett is a guy I really like in this secondary but has been forced to sit behind more veteran players over the past few seasons. During that time he’s become more nuanced in the position and also become more instinctive. He’s a big hitter and a playmaker in the backend. In my opinion he’s actually a better safety candidate than Wadood but the pair of them give the Bruins a solid duo.
Will Lockett is a guy who’s seen plenty of time in spot duty for the UCLA Football defense and on special teams but has purely been a reserve. He can play both the strong and free safety positions but actually plays the center field free safety position better in my opinion. When Wadood leaves next year Lockett will be the man to take over.
Potential Starting Secondary
CB-Nate Meadors, FS-Jaleel Wadood, SS-Adarius Pickett, CB-Denzel Fisher, NB-Darnay Holmes
Next: UCLA Football: First 2017 top 25 Amway Coaches Poll released
This UCLA Football team should continue to field a very talented secondary and despite some of the inexperience, the Bruins should be able to weather any early storms. DB coach Demetrice Martin has quickly become one of the better positional coaches in college football and most certainly one of the better recruiters. Bruin fans had better enjoy him while they can.