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UCLA Football: Safety Position preview

By Jason Kinander

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans runs for extra yards as Stephan Blaylock #4 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Drake London #15 of the USC Trojans runs for extra yards as Stephan Blaylock #4 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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With UCLA Football’s season on the horizon, it is time to take a look at each position for the Bruins. Up next is the safety position.

With a down year in the Pac-12 Conference in terms of quarterback play on the horizon, UCLA Football’s secondary will have the opportunity to bloom into a premier group.

Earlier, I previewed the cornerback position, a position that albeit unproven, holds some experience and a load of potential heading into the 2020.

Much of the same can be said about the other secondary unit, the Bruins’ safeties.

Starting at strong safety will be rising junior Stephan Blaylock. Arguably the top returning player on the defense, Blaylock had a huge sophomore season, leading the team with 88 tackles and starting all 12 games.

Blaylock will be the defensive units’ leader both with his production and his experience. This season will be big for Blaylock, as given the fact that he is the Bruins’ clear top player, he will have the chance to prove his NFL potential as the unit’s leader.

Starting alongside him at free safety will be Quentin Lake, a redshirt junior. Lake played in four games last season, making three starts in an injury-riddled season. When Lake was on the field, he produced at a high level, and if he can stay healthy in 2020, he will be expected to do the same.

Next. UCLA Cornerback Position Preview. dark

The Safety position for UCLA is a near guarantee to be the most productive of all the defensive positions. If both Lake and Blaylock stay healthy, we could be looking at an All-Pac 12 tandem in the secondary.