UCLA Football: Which three players benefit the most from Chip Kelly?

3. Rick Wade

So in our first slide I said we would get back to KLS. While I believe he’s going to have a huge 2018 season as an OLB in the 3-4 defense. He was forced to play LB in the 4-3 the Bruins ran this season due to injury and he actually performed well showing an improved ability to change direction and more awareness in zone coverage.

He’s going to have a big year as the new Dion Jordan for this defense. Jordan, if you don’t remember, was a strong pass rusher for the Ducks but was used in a variety of ways defensively. They’re not only physically very similar but they’re both high end athletes. However it’s not KLS’s name that makes our list.

Now if you’ve been paying attention to me, and oh how I need it, you know that I love Rick Wade on this UCLA Football defensive line. His length, strength, athleticism and temperament are perfect fits for the aggressive 3-4 defense that was favored during Kelly’s time at Oregon. He’s also getting some extra coaching from former Oregon DL coach and current UCLA Football DC for the 2018 season, Jerry Azzinaro.

During his time at Oregon with Kelly, Azzinaro was responsible for creative and aggressive defensive lines and produced a number of NFL selections with the biggest two in recent history being Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. Both are long, powerful defensive ends in the 3-4 fronts. Body-wise Wade, six-foot-six and 275 pounds, is closer to Armstead in his build but just both former Ducks has played across the defensive line for the Bruins.

Wade is able to use his length and strength to hold the edge against the run. He has the range to go sideline to sideline to track down ball carriers and he has a solid burst to close on RBs and QBs in the open field. As a pass rusher Wade can go through offensive linemen or around them. He’s strong enough to bullrush tackles and can out leverage taller offensive linemen with his good pad level. If you prepare for a power Wade will hit the juice and put you on his highlight reel on his way to a big tackle or sack.

Wade should also be primed for tons of playing time as most of the guys that I would have projected to the five technique position or DE in the 3-4 are graduating. Jaelan Phillips would likely be the other starting DE but unless the Bruins can find depth along their DL they’re gonna need Wade to have a big year. In my opinion he’s been miscast as a DE/DT in a 4-3 system. His length, speed and strength will be taken full advantage of in the 3-4 front that Azzinaro will bring to the Bruins.

Next: UCLA Football: Josh Rosen refutes claim that he is leaving UCLA for the NFL Draft

Of course we are going to see plenty of guys have big breakout years in the new offense and defense. We couldn’t possibly name all the guys that have the potential to do big things as Bruins with the changes in philosophy but we can tell you, these guys listed are primed for a big 2018.