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UCLA Football: Projecting the starting lineup for 2018

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 21: The UCLA Bruins head off the field before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl on October 21, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 21: The UCLA Bruins head off the field before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl on October 21, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: N’Keal Harry
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: N’Keal Harry /

Defense

Once again, the defense loses a lot of talent, but one thing Mora did well was recruit, so there is a lot of skilled players available for the Bruins to utilize. The problem here is depth.

Kelly and new defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro favor the 3-4 defense. That is good for the defensive line, but not so much for the linebackers who are very thin.

Projected Defensive Starters

(multiple players at the same position indicate possible position battles)

The line will have a new look, but will not lack experience. Wade, Tagaloa and Odighizuwa all played meaningful minutes last year which will help their transition in 2018. Though Tagaloa has the edge, Nnoruka could make improvements and challenge for a starting spot, if not the first player in the rotation.

The interesting thing to watch is how Phillips will be used in this defense. As the team’s best passer rusher last season, he maintain that role, though slightly tweaked into more of a hybrid spot, possibly playing off the line.

The lack of the depth at linbacker will have the new coaches shuffling a lot of players. We might also see a few switch positions before next season. For now, we can expect Holiday to step up a take one of the outside spots. Woods and Toailoa played a lot in 2017, so their experience should give them the advantage to start. I also expect Barnes to battle for one of the starting inside positions.

***UPDATE (1/15)*** Nate Meadors has stated that he is returning to UCLA in 2018, giving him the starting CB spot.

The secondary should be the most consistent, especially if Nate Meadors returns. The DBs have been the strength of the last few seasons and that should continue in 2018. If Meadors is gone, Samuel should be a top candidate for one CB spot with the explosive Holmes at the other.