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UCLA Football: Five freshmen that could see major minutes in 2018

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: A general view during the Introduction of Chip Kelly Press Conference on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. Kelly was just announced as the new UCLA head football coach. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: A general view during the Introduction of Chip Kelly Press Conference on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. Kelly was just announced as the new UCLA head football coach. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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3. LB Bo Calvert, 6’3, 218 lbs.

There is another player that might get a lot of playing time due to a thinned out roster. In the last few years, the Bruins did not do much to strengthen their linebacking corps in both recruiting and development. It also did not help that UCLA played a conservative “bend but don’t break” style of football.

2017 High School Stats

Total Tackles – 37 | Tackles for Loss – 8.0 | Sacks – 4.0 | Hurries – 23

Because of that, the Bruins are going to need all hands on deck with their available LBs, especially since they are moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4, which will require more players to participate in the position group.

One thing that will help the transition is moving defensive ends Jaelan Phillips and Keisean Lucier-South to outside linebacker hybrid positions and seeing what Calvert can do, it seems almost certain he will compete for a backup spot.

The Bruin defense actually has a lot of returners on all three levels, but they some need help among the linebackers, so I can see the coaches giving him decent minutes next season.

Calvert is a feisty pass rusher. He is slender which helps him get around blocks, fast enough to get into the back field and strong enough to push through linemen, if needed. On top of that, he reacts quickly, has good pursuit and can hit hard, which is what the Bruin defensive coaches are looking for.