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UCLA Football: Spring practice preview – offense, defense, and special teams

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 26: Chip Kelly the head coach of UCLA Bruins stands on the sideline while playing the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 26: Chip Kelly the head coach of UCLA Bruins stands on the sideline while playing the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Projected Spring Depth Chart

  • DE: Osa Odighizuwa (R-Jr), Datona Jackson (R-Fr), Moses Robinson-Carr (R-So),
  • NT: Atonio Mafi (So), Otito Ogbonnia (So)
  • DE: Martin Andrus (Jr), Tyler Manoa (So), Steven Mason (R-Fr)

The defensive line is going to be interesting. They have a lot of youth mixed with several key upperclassmen. That will give DL coach Vince Oghobaase plenty to work with as he finds the best fit up front.

Osa Odighizuwa and Martin Andrus are key elements in holding the line together. Not only did they make individual plays which helped the run defense, but it also helped them to grow into their roles. With both of them continuing to develop, the front line should be quite beastly this spring.

The Bruins also have a lot of youth and two of those players will standout as Atonio Mafi and Otito Ogbonnia were used a lot last season. Both made slow progressions as true freshmen through 2018 but became a fixture as they were able to manhandle offensive lines. But they Bruins also have a lot of other guys who are just waiting for their turn to mic things up.

Tyler Manoa and Steven Mason did not play as much but should get a lot of reps in spring to help them develop into what the defensive coaches require for the upcoming season. The Bruins get another addition to the line as grad transfer Datona Jackson gives the Bruins another big body that knows how to get into the backfield so watch for his development this spring.