As we continue our “Spring Practice Preview” series, we shift our focus to the UCLA Football defensive line. A group of emphasis for new defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro who hopes to reinvent a unit full of talent but one that has struggled against the run and creating pressure.
The UCLA Football Bruins have struggled with stopping the run for what feels like the better part of a decade now. The truth is the rush defense has been on a decline for the last three years but the past two have been nearly catastrophic. In 2017 the Bruins ranked 129 out of 130 in terms of rush defense and managed a paltry 22 sacks for the season with a majority of them coming in the latter portions of the schedule. While this could be attributed to the best pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips, missing the meat of the schedule with an ankle injury, the fact remains, this defense needs revamping; starting up front.
Defensive line developments surrounding the UCLA Football program have been interesting to say the least. Jump back to the 2012 season and the Bruins in their first year under Jim Mora. The defense has standout defensive linemen in Datone Jones, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Cassius Marsh, a loaded linebacker group of Anthony Barr, Jordan Zumwalt and Eric Kendricks. With a platoon of capable backups in the LB group, it only made sense that the Bruins employ a 3-4 defense. A scheme meeting the talent and skillset of the roster, imagine that.
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However during Mora’s later years the LB groups became depleted in terms of talent and numbers and so a move back to the 4-3 was made. However this was done to cover up a slow developing roster issue instead of maximizing a pool of talent. Not nearly as praiseworthy.
Now the UCLA Football team is on the move scheme wise again, this time back to the 3-4.
Both Kelly and Azzinaro are strong proponents of the 3-4 defense. Although new DL coach Vince Oghobaase played in a 4-3 or “even” front in college, he’s been handpicked by Azzinaro as the man to run this unit.
He’s going to have his hands full in terms of building this unit since most of the pieces naturally fit the 4-3. However unlike previous moves regarding the defensive front this one won’t be made to cover up a flaw in roster building or one designed to take advantage of a loaded unit. No, this one will happen as a carefully crafted first step in rebuilding the entire defense.
Here are the UCLA Football Bruins who will likely be receiving the bulk of reps during Spring practice.
- Rick Wade, R-Jr. 6’6, 280 pounds.
- Jaelan Phillips, So. 6’5, 260 pounds.
- Greg Rogers, So. 6’3, 310 pounds.
- Martin Andrus, So. 6’1, 300 pounds.
- Boss Tagaloa, Jr. 6’2, 305 pounds.
- Osa Odighizuwa, R-So. 6’2, 275 pounds.
- Chigozie Nnoruka, R-Jr. 6’2, 295 pounds.
- Marcus Moore, R-So. 6’2, 250 pounds.
- Keisean Lucier-South, R-Jr. 6’4, 235 pounds
That’s quite the number of bodies vying for playing time at three down linemen positions. But are they the right kind of bodies? Also, Kelly’s defenses tend to employ a “rush” DE/OLB position that can act as a fourth lineman. Who occupies that role?
Moore was a pleasant surprise as a pass rusher last season showing an array of moves and burst to allow him to win the edge. He’s not quite big enough for a DE position but would be a very good fit as the “rush” end.
KLS is another guy that fits well as the “rush”. He’s long, lean, athletic and raw. He still has some pass rush skills to learn but Kelly has had a guy like him before in Dion Jordan. Now KLS isn’t going to be lining up as a gunner on punts but I expect him to be used in much of the same way. As a stand up, rush end who can win with speed around the edge and use his length to make running outside difficult.
Phillips is an athletic freak but was hampered by injury during his freshman year. Of course we can’t predict his health moving forward but let’s just say that he doesn’t miss any time next season. Physically he’s a DE in this scheme but with his athleticism he could occupy the “rush” position. However given the lack of length in the UCLA Football DL group, we could see him easily snag a starting DE position.
He and Wade are the most prototypical 3-4 DEs on the roster but there’s not question about Wade’s fit in this scheme. He’s a lock for one of the DE positions and it’s not just because the pickings are slim. A long, active defensive lineman, Wade has been a prized reserve for most of him time in the UCLA Football program but is now taking a major step forward in a starting role. He isn’t just a block eater either as he provides a pass rush often attacking the B gap between the tackle and guard.
Tagaloa and Rogers should be the primary nose tackles in this offense. Neither are textbook NTs in the 3-4 but they won’t need to be 325 pounds plus in order to play. Tagaloa has struggled to be stout against double teams which is a small problem. He needs to learn to play with better leverage and anchor more effectively. Rogers showed promise as a freshman last season and while his pass rush is still limited to a bullrush he’s a stout option that could develop well into an active interior lineman.
One guy that could steal some of those NT snaps is Nnoruka. Before the 2017 season Nnoruka was seen as a reserve player but he saw more and more time as the season wore on. Powerful and showing off a good burst, Nnoruka routinely found himself in the backfield after being interior linemen. He’s also not a true NT but Oghobaase might look past that if he continues his disruptive ways.
Here are the two most questionable fits for me in this new defense. Andrus has some power but could struggle as a two gap player which is what he will be required to do. As a 4-3 DT he was able to anchor effectively and being 6’1 gives him a natural advantage in the leverage department. We will see how well he transitions to the new defense but he doesn’t have the length for one of the DE positions meaning he is going to have to really adapt to see playing time in this defense.
Odighizuwa is another guy who could have trouble seeing the field. He will be in the two deep for the DL at both end positions but doesn’t have the length outside that the coaching staff prefers for the position. He and Nnoruka are going to be the top reserves.
There will also be a few possible early enrollees along the DL who should be in line to participate during Spring.
- Baraka Beckett, 6’4, 275 pounds.
- Steven Mason, 6’8, 250 pounds.
While Beckett could see himself on the offensive line, what I saw on tape is a player who has the tools and attitude for the DL. Long and physical, Beckett gives the Bruins depth along the line as well. Mason might be tall but he’s also lean and you’d like to see him add weight onto his frame to avoid being overpowered at the point of attack. Still, he fits the profile for what this team wants along the DL and will slowly earn time if he adds weight.
Next: UCLA Football Spring Practice Preview: Offensive line
The whole UCLA Football defense is getting a new look. Speed, aggression and gang tackling will be major points of emphasis moving forward. Bruin fans would love to be able to use those words to describe this defensive line instead of some of the others they’ve used the past few seasons.