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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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Projected Spring Depth Chart

Though the linebacker group has had some setbacks in the last few seasons, there is a shining ray of hope heading into spring as the Bruins should be quite deep pending multiple recoveries from injury. On top of that, this will be the most experienced position group on the team. The Bruins have five seniors heading into the spring with three of them looking to claim starting spots.

Keisean Lucier-South will anchor one side of the linebackers as he brings a pass rush threat as well as solid zone defense. The emergence of Krys Barnes and the return of Josh Woods will give the Bruins interior experience they have been longing for in the last several seasons.

Lokeni Toailoa and Tyree Thompson showed improvement in throughout 2018 and will play major supporting roles what the linebackers. Both have developed into smart, hard-hitting LBs and should give the defense an extra punch.

The big question here is who will be the primary pass rusher. We projected Elijah Wade to be the primary pass rusher, but I wouldn’t put it past defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro to try out several other players. The Bruins really suffered from not having a pass rush last season and this should be one of the priorities heading into spring.