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UCLA Football: How will the linebackers adjust with Josh Woods out?

By Mike Regalado

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 7: Defensive line/assistant head coach Jerry Azzinaro of the Philadelphia Eagles watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 7, 2014 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 7: Defensive line/assistant head coach Jerry Azzinaro of the Philadelphia Eagles watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 7, 2014 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA football team received some bad news over the weekend concerning senior linebacker Josh Woods who will be out for the season with a knee injury. So how will the linebacking corp rebound with one of their most experienced players out for the season?

Sometimes things just don’t work out as planned. That is especially true for UCLA football‘s senior linebacker Josh Woods who will miss the season due to a knee injury. This comes a year after he missed half the 2017 season with a shoulder injury.

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Woods is an explosive player that would have helped a thin linebacking corps become a lot more aggressive in the new coaching staff’s style. The Bruins are looking to add a bit more violence to their scheme and it is unfortunate they will be without Woods.

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The LBs have talent, but not much.

Last week, Go Joe Bruin released the projected depth chart for the linebackers which had Woods starting at the WILL linebacker position. With Woods out, the coaching staff has moved players around, bringing in Bruins that have usually been playing outside the WILL spot.

On Sunday, transfer Tyree Thompson got time at that starting spot. During spring he was very active in his first go-round with the Bruins. He showed he was quick and very reactive and should get a lot of playing time regardless if it’s as a starter.

The same could be said about Je’Vari Anderson who also came in the spring as a transfer. Go Joe Bruin pegged him as Woods’ immediate backup, but he could also land the starting spot due to his relentlessness in attacking the offense.

Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times had reported that the coaches have also moved OLBs Bo Calvert and Leni Toailoa to the inside of the LB group to help with depth. Toailoa has been looking for more playing time in the last few seasons and should now get more opportunities this fall, though it comes as a result of the injury. Currently, Calvert is in a yellow/non-contact jersey but could be a viable threat on the inside once he is back to full strength.

As for the rest of the starters, Go Joe Bruin has projected Jaelan Phillips at the DE.OLB hybrid spot, Krys Barnes at the MIKE linebacker position and Keisean Lucier-South at the SAM spot.

Next. UCLA Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2018 season. dark

Injury Report

RB Kazmeir Allen has apparently suffered an injury as he is in a yellow jersey. He is the second RB to wear the jersey after Bolu Olorunfunmi suffered an injury last week. DL Otito Ogbonnia, DB Colin Samuel, and DE Elijah Wade are the other Bruins wearing yellow.