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UCLA Football: 2019 Post-Spring Game Projected Depth Chart

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during a timeout against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during a timeout against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

  • OLB (EDGE): Odua Isibor, Elijah Wade, Noah Keeter, Hayden Harris
  • ILB: Josh Woods, Tyree Thompson, Je’Vari Anderson
  • ILB: Krys Barnes, Lokeni Toailoa, Bo Calvert
  • OLB: Keisean Lucier-South, Leni Toailoa, Jayce Smalley, John Ward

There is talent, and there is experience, and it is the first time in a long time UCLA has had both with their LBs. The biggest question comes with the status of Keisean Lucier-South who did not participate in the second part of spring practice as he was focusing on academics. It was not confirmed that KLS left the team (or asked to leave), but Kelly did state that he expects him back for the summer, so there is hope that the Bruins’ best defender and pass rusher will be back for the fall. If not, that will be a big blow to the Bruins.

As for the pass rush, UCLA is still looking for a few good men to take over the EDGE position. Odua Isibor and Elijah Wade were the central figures in that position during spring, but neither took that spot to the next level.

The middle of the field is deep. The return of Josh Woods will be huge as they need his experience and talent. He missed all of last season with a leg injury and did not participate in spring, but should be good to go this fall as one of the starting ILBs. The other starter in the middle should be Krys Barnes who had a productive 2018 season. He took on a more significant role with this position group as he had to pick up slack for several injured players.

There is also a lot of promise for the backups who have been impressive this spring, especially Tyree Thompson who was one of the defensive MVPs for the Spring Game. UCLA also has Je’Vari Anderson, Lokeni Toailoa, and Leni Toailoa on the rise, so this fall, there should be no reason the linebackers have another down year.