Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Football: Potential defensive two-deep depth chart for 2019

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Osa Odighizuwa #92 of the UCLA Bruins gets his hands in the face of JT Daniels #18 of the USC Trojans during the first half at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Osa Odighizuwa #92 of the UCLA Bruins gets his hands in the face of JT Daniels #18 of the USC Trojans during the first half at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

The Bruins are going to hurt a little bit on the back end as Adarius Pickett and Nate Meadors will be moving on. Both had experience and leadership which the Bruins will miss. UCLA will also lose their team’s leading tackler in Pickett, but should have some of the pressure taken off of them with improvements and depth on the defensive line and among the linebackers.

More from Go Joe Bruin

Darnay Holmes will be the top talent among the secondary. He continued to grow in 2018 and should be one of the best DBs in the conference (if not the nation) heading into next season. His ability to play his opponent is uncanny and should be a boost for the pass defense.

The Bruins will cycle in different players at the other spot until they find one that fits what they are trying to do, but be on the lookout for Elijah Gates, Colin Samuel, and Jay Shaw to be in the running.

At safety, Quentin Lake will guide the backend. He made significant strides this season and will hold down the fort with Pickett’s exit. The only question is who will be protecting the skies next to him.

Stephan Blaylock could make a case to be the other starting safety. He is quick, has great pursuit and can put a hit on the opposition, but he will have to battle Mo Osling for the other starting safety position. Osling made some nice developments and should be even better next season.

dark. Next. The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time

With this much experience returning, UCLA’s defense should take a step forward, especially if they are healthy. It will also be interesting to see what recruits UCLA brings in with the next recruiting class.