by Ross Coleman - Contributing Editor
July 27, 2010 20:21
Yesterday we looked at the offense for the Bruins and how I think it will all shake out by the time the season starts.
Today we are going to look at the defense.
Last year the defense was experienced and had heart. This year, what the unit lacks in experience it makes up for with talent and speed. This may be the fastest defense in the history of UCLA football. Now it will be the coaching staff’s job to get that speed to translate on the field.
Defensive End:
Left end:
1. Datone Jones Junior
2. Owamagbe Odighizuwa Freshman
3. Reggie Stokes RS Senior
Right end:
1. Damien Holmes RS Sophomore OR
2. Keenan Graham RS Freshman
3. Iuta Tepa Sophomore
4. Derrick Bryant Freshman
Datone Jones is ready to break out. This will be his third year starting in the program and by all accounts, he has the strength and size to be a legitimate defensive end in the Pac 10.
Owa is a freak. Pure and simple, he is an all-American in the making and will be pushing for playing time immediately. He could start at right end from day one, but I think he is the heir apparent to Jones.
Damien Holmes has a good motor but needs to play stronger than he did last year. Keenan Graham is the fastest defensive end and by all means would have pushed for playing time last year had it not been for a broken jaw just before the season started. He will be a terror off the edge and had a chance to be the first Bruin to record double-digit sacks since Bruce Davis.
Reggie Stokes shouldn’t be much of a factor this year; he will mainly be relied upon to provide depth. Tepa has a chance to get some playing time; he was just too weak as a freshman last year to do anything spectacular. Derrick Bryant will be a good player in time; he just needs some seasoning and will likely redshirt this year.
Defensive Tackle:
1. David Carter RS Senior
2. Nate Chandler RS Junior
3. Cassius Marsh Freshman
4. Justin Edison RS Junior
5. Donovon Carter RS Sophomore
6. Sealii Epenesa Freshman
7. Andy Keane RS Senior
8. Wesley Flowers Freshman
Replacing Brian Price won't be possible. Now with that being said, the Bruins have decided that speed at defensive tackle will be the best way to combat the loss of the Pac 10 defensive player of the year.
David Carter has never been a starter before, but as a back up last year he showed that he is capable of being a good defensive tackle. Now with an offseason under his belt, he should be an all-conference type player.
Nate Chandler may have finally found a position. After bouncing back and forth between offensive tackle and tight end, he will be given every chance to get a lot of playing time as defensive tackle. Chandler is now up to 290 lbs and apparently still runs in the 4.6 range 40-yard dash. That is terrifying if he can translate that on the field.
Cassius Marsh will be an all-American during his time at UCLA and will get plenty of playing time as a freshman. Justin Edison finally has enough weight on him to see the playing field, but it remains to be seen if he can play.
Donovon Carter is a former outside linebacker who has put on enough weight to get some time. If he was able to keep his linebacker speed he could be difficult to block inside. Sealii Epenesa will be a run-stuffing machine when he sees the field. He will likely redshirt this year, but his 320 lbs body will be ready to play once called upon.
If Andy Keane is on the field it will be bad news for the Bruins. If we are relying on him there are much bigger problems with the program. Wesley Flowers is not nearly ready, unless he is competing in a Whoopi Goldberg look-a-like contest. He will redshirt and need to put on a lot of weight if he is ever going to get playing time.
Linebacker
Strong side
1. Akeem Ayers RS Junior
2. Isaiah Bowens RS Freshman
3. Aramide Olaniyan Freshman
Middle
1. Patrick Larimore RS Sophomore OR
2. Steve Sloan Junior
3. Todd Golper RS Freshman
4. Jordan Zumwalt Freshman
5. Eric Kendricks Freshman
Weak side
1. Glenn Love RS Junior OR
2. Sean Westgate Junior
3. Jared Koster Freshman
4. Anthony Barr Freshman *
Akeem Ayers is an all-American and Pac 10 defensive player of the year candidate. It is likely that this is his last season in Westwood. He has first round talent and has finally put it all together. It will be up to the coaching staff to find an heir to Ayers because soon we will be missing him.
Isaiah Bowens could be that guy. He is raw as far as football goes. He has only been playing for a few years but his athleticism is great and he has put on enough weight that he passes the eyeball test. But Aramide Olaniyan will factor into that position as well. Olaniyan has the look and mentality of a future captain at UCLA. He may need to redshirt to put on weight but when he finally does play, he will be one for the ages.
At the middle linebacker I hope that Patrick Larimore can win the starting job over Steve Sloan. Larimore is the right kind of crazy to be a linebacker. Last year during a practice he hit someone so hard that he bent his facemask. I want someone like that leading my defense.
Todd Golper and Jordan Zumwalt will likely have to battle for the starting job later in their careers and that will be a position battle to watch for the future. Zumwalt will likely redshirt along with Eric Kendricks, who is not someone to sleep on.
The weak side position is up for grabs. Glenn Love moved to linebacker from safety and I hope he wins the job. He has a linebacker body and likes to hit. His speed is also a big plus. Sean Westgate has the heart of a lion but the body of a mouse. I love him on special teams but I just don’t see him holding up as an every down linebacker.
Jared Koster was a late addition to the roster. He greyshirted last year and has impressed the coaches in his short time on campus. Anthony Barr is currently on the offensive side of the ball, but it is possible that he could move to defense and be used as either a linebacker or a safety.
Cornerback
1. Sheldon Price Sophomore
2. Aaron Hester RS Sophomore
3. Andrew Abbot RS Sophomore
4. Courtney Viney RS Junior
5. Anthony Jefferson Freshman
6. Marlon Pollard RS Freshman
7. Tevin McDonald Freshman
8. Brandon Sermons Sophomore **
Suddenly Neuheisel doesn’t look as foolish for throwing Sheldon Price to the fire. Now he has a cornerback with lots of game experience who will step in nicely for the legendary Alterraun Verner. Aaron Hester is also a great prospect who would have started had it not been for an injury last year.
Andrew Abbot and Courtney Viney will likely battle for the nickel corner position. They are both gifted players but I think the edge goes to Abbot because Viney is 5’8’’ and the Bruins like big corners.
Anthony Jefferson will likely redshirt, but he was a great pick up by Neuheisel who will be the next great shut down corner at UCLA. Marlon Pollard has apparently been turning heads this summer and could work his way into the rotation.
Tevin McDonald has a safeties body, but will likely redshirt because unless injuries force him into action, he will likely not get much run this year. Brandon Sermons broke his leg during a non-contact drill this spring and will redshirt this year while he is recovering.
Safety
Free Safety
1. Rahim Moore Junior
2. Dalton Hilliard Sophomore
3. Dietrich Riley Freshman
4. Alex Mascarenas RS Freshman
Strong Saftey
1. Tony Dye Junior
2. Stan McKay RS Freshman
3. Anthony Barr Freshman
Rahim Moore led the NCAA in interceptions last year with 10. His ball skills are unparalleled in college football. With another good season it is possible that he could take his talent to the NFL. If that is the case Dalton Hilliard will be ready to step in. Hilliard is a big hitter who formerly played running back in high school, so he has some ball skills.
Dietrich Riley will see the playing field in some capacity this season. He is too talented and too important a recruit to not see the field. If that is not on defense he could be relied upon to return kicks or even a little bit on offense out of the Wildcat.
Alex Mascarenas will likely only be a special teams guy.
At strong safety Stan McKay will push Tony Dye for his starting job, but I think Dye’s experience will allow him to keep the job. McKay will, however, be a great safety at UCLA. This year he may only be used situationally and for special teams, but he will be successful when he finally gets his chance.
Anthony Barr could be an interesting prospect at safety. He has a similar build to Taylor Mays the former USC all-American.
Check back tomorrow for pre-fall camp season predictions.