UCLA Football: How the Bruins could have the best defense in the Pac-12

The UCLA Football program could have the best defense in the Pac-12. Yes, the same defense that in 2017 ranked dead-last in the NCAA in rushing yards after allowing 287.4 yards per game, 122 nationally in total defense, and last in the Pac-12 in total defense could go from worst-to-first.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the UCLA football team have made some significant changes to its football program during the offseason. Chief of them was the hiring of head coach Chip Kelly. Throughout spring practice, it became apparent that Kelly was having the defense make two necessary adjustments: switching back to a 3-4 scheme and focusing on tackling.

A 3-4 scheme could adapt to UCLA’s players as it favors a more agile and fast-paced defensive talent, something the Bruins are filled with. Tackling, of course, is the basic fundamental for any defensive unit, and was seriously lacking from the Bruins’ 2017 season (Case in point: finishing last in the NCAA in rushing defense).

After coming to Westwood, one of Kelly’s first hires was Jerry Azzinaro as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator. The two have developed an extensive working relationship over the last two years as Azzinaro coached Kelly’s defensive line at Oregon from 2009-12, served as the assistant head coach/defensive line coach for Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles team from 2013-15, and then followed Kelly to San Francisco to coach the 49er’s defensive line in 2016. Finally, Azzinaro spent the 2017 campaign coaching Cal’s defensive line.

Elsewhere, Kelly has loaded his defensive staff with a team of seasoned coaches highlighted by Vince Oghobaase (defensive line), Don Pellum (linebackers), Paul Rhoads (defensive backs), and Roy Manning (outside linebacker & special teams).

So, the coaching staff is in place for a revamped defense, but what about the players?

More from Go Joe Bruin

While the UCLA football website has not yet published the 2018 roster, we can expect to see Jaelan Phillips (DE/LB), Rick Wade (DE), Chigozie Nnoruka (NT), Osa Odighizuwa (DT) and Keisean Lucier-South (DE/LB) working the line with the possibility of Krys Barnes, Lokeni Toailoa, and Josh Woods in the starting linebacking corps. IN the secondary, we could see Nate Meadors, Colin Samuel, and Darnay Holmes as the primary cornerbacks, and Adarius Pickett and Octavius Spencer as the team’s starting safeties.

UCLA also welcomes a number of talented defensive recruits to Westwood highlighted by four-star student-athletes like Elijah Wade (DE), Tyler Manoa (DT), Bo Calvert (LB), and Stephan Blaylock (S).

The Bruins may not have the biggest defensive players in the nation, but they are certainly strong, talented, and fast. That skill set, coupled with the Bruins’ revamped defensive coaching staff could very well live up to the “violent” mentality emphasized by coach Oghobaase.

Kelly has been asked a lot to revive UCLA’s football program and make them relevant again. The Bruins are experiencing a significant amount of turnover on the offensive side of the ball and are facing the nation’s hardest schedule. So, a 2018 Cinderella story may not be in the cards.

Next: Why the coaching situation will bring success to the Bruins

However, should these athletes adapt to the new 3-4 defensive scheme, and should the new coaching staff in Westwood develop the chemistry they’re expected to have, the Bruins’ defensive team could go from worst-to-first this fall.