In our last Spring Practice Preview we took a look at the UCLA Football defensive line, one of the more maligned units in 2017. Still, they weren’t the biggest problem on the defense last year. That title unfortunately belongs to the linebacker group. Let’s dive into what this unit could look like in the Spring for their first practice under a new head and positional coach.
How could I best describe the 2017 UCLA Football LB group in two words? Hesitant and undisciplined. While that might be a harsh description, this group was far from a strength in the Bruin defense. Banged up, spread thin and, if I’m being honest, poorly coached, last year’s group should have made you long for the days of guys like Sean Westgate never mind the even more stellar units. Yes I said Sean Westgate.
It often seemed as though the LBs as a whole were being told to wait till ball carriers ran right into them instead of attacking downhill. They hesitated in the hole often costing them valuable positioning when it came time to make a tackle. Instead of taking on the role of the enforcers in the defense the way the LB group did early on in Jim Mora’s tenure, they looks liked they might be trying to lull opposing offenses to sleep with their play.
Related Story: UCLA Football Spring Practice Preview: Defensive Line
That situation was only compounded with injuries, suspensions and inexperienced players doing their best to learn on the fly. At the end of the season and with Mora out as head coach it wasn’t surprising to see Chip Kelly make finding a new LB coach his top priority.
Now with former Oregon Ducks LB coach Don Pellum poised to take over, the Bruins can expect to see a much more aggressive and well disciplined unit on the field. But with the switch to the 3-4 defense, does the UCLA Football team have enough bodies for a two deep in this group?
Below is the list of Bruins expected to see the majority of reps during Spring practice.
- Jaelan Phillips, So., 6’5 260 pounds.
- Keisean Lucier-South, R-Jr., 6’4, 235 pounds.
- Marcus Moore, R-So., 6’2, 250 pounds.
- Josh Woods, Sr., 6’2, 230 pounds.
- Lokeni Toailoa, Jr., 6’2, 240 pounds.
- Rahyme Johnson, So., 6’4 220 pounds.
- Mique Juarez, R-So., 6’2, 255 pounds.
- Leni Toailoa, R-So., 6’1, 225 pounds.
- Krys Barnes, Jr., 6’2, 240 pounds.
- Brandon Burton, Jr., 6’0, 215 pounds.
- DeChaun Holiday, R-Jr., 6’2, 215 pounds.
Just like we saw in our defensive line spring practice preview, there are a number of bodies here. However we have to remember that there are four linebacker positions and in a best case scenario you’d love to have at least eight guys capable of coming in and not seeing a significant drop off in production or ability. So again we have to ask ourselves, we have a lot of bodies but do we have the right bodies?
Probably the position on the new UCLA Football defense that carries the most unknowns is the edge “rush” position that will function as DE/OLB hybrid. Phillips, Moore and KLS are all candidates for this position with Phillips being the most physically gifted of the three. Moore has demonstrated his skill as a pass rusher but KLS is the type of player that Kelly and his defensive staff have a bright history with given their molding of former Duck, Dion Jordan. We could see this position used more as a DL position given the precarious situation of the LB group.
Woods and Lokeni will likely man the two ILB positions almost as default options. Woods has all of the physical tools you’re looking for in an ILB. He’s athletic and physical when he wants to be. The trouble is he somehow is a heat seeking missile for offensive linemen and will find himself blocked out of a play or unable to shed blocks. He’s the returning veteran of this group so he must step his game up as this group is being rebuilt.
So again we have to ask ourselves, we have a lot of bodies but do we have the right bodies?
Lokeni saw time in the starting lineup last year and demonstrated growth in practice to earn the trust of the coaching staff. When he got into games though he appeared to be overthinking things. The game looked too fast and too many times he was just a step slow to recognize and react. He’s closest thing to a thumper in this LB group. Should the new coaching staff fine tune his game he has the potential to make a big difference in the run game and make up for a rough 2017.
Speaking of rough 2017s, Juarez has yet to make any noticeable impact on this team after signing with the UCLA Football team in 2016 as a highly coveted recruit. He did suffer a head/neck injury during Spring practice in 2016 which in retrospect was the turning point of his Bruin career so far. After a hiatus from the team Juarez returned to the roster but was out of football shape for much of the season and struggled to see any playing time even with the LB group being a major weakness. Could a new coaching staff and new scheme signal another turning point?
Barnes is a guy to keep an eye on as practice gets underway. Forced into action last season, he had his share of struggles. Angles of pursuit, recognition of keys and tackling were all issues but it wasn’t the entire story. Barnes also flashed plenty of upside and had a number of “wow” plays for me last season. Being more consistent and learning to more effectively use his hands to shed blocks are key for his development. Pellum shaped Troy Dye into one of the best LBs in the PAC-12 before he left Oregon for UCLA. Could he repeat that success with Barnes?
Holiday has bounced around this whole defense but looked like he found a home in the LB group as he battled through a shoulder injury in 2017. That is to say he looked like he found a home in the 4-3 defense. With the switch to the 3-4, Holiday might again be forced to find a new home. Kelly has had a “rover” position in the past typically occupied by a DB/LB. Given his lack of bulk and physicality being a full time LB might be too much to ask. Still, this unit is in need of playmakers and Holiday gives Pellum a hyper athletic player who can cover the mismatch player for any offense.
Leni, Johnson and Burton will all be vying for playing time and while the LB room looks crowded it’s basically an open competition for all of the spots with the staff having no allegiances. Johnson is fast but needs bulk on his frame. If he comes into Spring weighing closer to 230 pounds he could make a play for any one of the LB positions including one of the inside spots. Burton is a missile and plays much bigger than his size would indicate. While his size might have limited him in most schemes, Kelly and company have a history of finding hitters and getting them on the field. Leni is another willing hitter who, despite measurables, has a legitimate chance of seeing playing time.
There’s only linebacker not on last year’s roster who could see time during spring practice.
- Tyree Thompson, 6’3, 235 pounds
Coming in a position of need, Thompson stands to earn plenty of reps early. He signed with the UCLA Football team after spending most of his recruitment being courted by Vanderbilt. A late push by the new staff has to indicate they not only see Thompson as someone who can provide depth but can make an impact. He has the size, the willingness to hit and diagnoses what he’s seeing very well.
This group needs a major bounce back year in the worst way. You can’t stop the run or defend the pass well if your linebackers aren’t cutting it and that kind of play can stress an offense to it’s breaking point. Josh Rosen isn’t going to be back there next year and while Kelly can certainly dial up the offensive firepower, it was Rosen the past few seasons bailing this team out.
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There’s also the matter of pride. UCLA Football faithful had become spoiled with the great linebacker play from a few seasons back from guys like Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Myles Jack and even Jayon Brown. So spoiled in fact they began to refer to the Bruins as “Linebacker U”. That reputation, deserved or not, has been tarnished and it’s time get it back.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for our next installment where we preview the Spring DB group.