UCLA Football: Projecting the starting lineup for the 2017 season
Projected UCLA Football Defensive Starters
DE: Jaelan Phillips
NT: Boss Tagaloa
DT: Matt Dickerson
Phillips is going to be a monster. Though he might not full replace Takkarist McKinley, he will do his best imitation. Dickerson, JTM and Tagaloa have plenty of experience and will now be asked to help fill the void for departing Eddie Vanderdoes and Eli Ankou. We are not worried though. Not with the way DL Coach Angus McClure and DC Tom Bradley are handling this defense.
OLB: Josh Woods
MLB: Lokeni Toailoa
OLB: Kenny Young
***ALSO SEE: UCLA Football Projected Depth Charts – Defensive Line, Linebackers, Defensive Backs
In our depth charts projections, we had the starter as: OLB Woods, MLB Young and OLB DeChaun Holiday. Currently, Holiday is nursing an injury, that puts that prediction on hold. Additionally, Mora said that the Woods-Toailoa-Young combo is what is working for them right now. One of the reasons for the switch, Mora stated, was because Young seemed to fit better on the outside (especially with Holiday out). What Bruin fans need to look for this season is the production of the developing Toailoa.
CB: Nate Meadors
CB: Denzel Fisher
(NB: Darnay Holmes)
When I look at this secondary, I truly become scared for other teams. Meadors is going to breakout this season, Wadood is a beast that should get a lot of recognition at season’s end, Pickett is going to surprise a lot of people and Fisher is a younger player that has been waiting patiently for his shot, which he will not squander. Additionally, Holmes is in here if the Bruins decide to go to a nickelback for a few plays. Either way, like Jaelan Phillips, fans will quickly take notice of the talent that Holmes brings.