UCLA Football: Five things to watch for at the Spring Game

5. The defense will bring the violence

We have talked about the offense a great deal, but what about the defense? There is a culture change on both sides of the ball and if the theme of the offense is “speed”, the theme for the defense is “violence”.

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Long gone are the days of “bend but don’t break” under Tom Bradley. The idea that defensive players should read and react conservatively as not to give up big yards is a thing of the past. What we will see from the defense going forward is a lot of focus and aggression.

Before spring break, new DL coach Vince Oghobaase was over heard telling his players that he wants to see “more violence”. That mantra seems to have infected the entire D as every position group, though they are still learning the schemes themselves, have been very impressive in displaying violence.

Under defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro, the defensive players are required to read and react quicker. The DLs are attacking the line of scrimmage, LBs have been running all over the field and the DBs continue to limit the passing game.

Though the defense should pull their punches a bit (this is a the spring game after all), watch how their new violent demeanor takes over and pushes the offense.

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UCLA football’s spring game will take place this Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. PT at Drake Stadium on the campus of UCLA and will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network.