College Football

UCLA Football Position Group Analysis – Defensive Backs

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:03 p.m. ET

Fansided, Mike Regalado/FanSided via Go Joe Bruin

Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Go Joe Bruin continues the position group analysis of the UCLA Football team post-2016 as we now examine the defensive backs heading into 2017.

The one consistent on the defense for the UCLA Football in 2016 was the defensive backs. Head Coach Jim Mora has hung his hat on his secondary and has said he would put them up against the best in the country.

This past season was no different. The Bruins were stacked with talent and deep enough to have every secondary position (including the nickel) prepared for battle.

So with several changes to the team, what will happen with the defensive backs?

The State of the Defensive Backs

The UCLA DBs were the best part of a defense that improved from the previous year. Once again the secondary was in control of their settings, though there were a few games where the opposition slipped through the cracks (the offense not controlling the clock did not help matters).

Either way, the Bruins were on top of their game as they had the 3rd best pass defense in the Pac-12, only allowing 210.5 passing yards per game. They were 2nd in passing yards per play with 5.7, 3rd in interceptions with 15 and allowed the fewest touchdowns through the air with 12.

Going forward, UCLA should be alright in the secondary even though they lose five players to graduation. Will that hamper the Bruins in 2017? Maybe, but UCLA is deep in the secondary and have a lot of very talent players ready to take over next season.

Key Losses

Randall Goforth – graduation

Marcus Rios – graduation

Fabian Moreau – graduation

Tahaan Goodman – graduation

Charles Dawson – graduation

2017 Commitments

Quentin Lake, CB, 3*, 6’1″, 175 lbs. (Mater Dei HS/Santa Ana, CA)

Jaylan Shaw, CB, 4*, 5’11”, 170 lbs. (Centennial HS/Corona, CA)

Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Josh Reynolds (11) is tackled by UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during overtime at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Potential 2017 Depth Chart

CB: Nate Meadors, Denzel Fisher

S: Adarius Pickett, Brandon Burton

S: Jaleel Wadood, DeChaun Holiday

CB: John Johnson, Will Lockett

NB: Octavius Spencer

What’s Working?

The coaching, development, execution… it all seems to be working for the Bruins. In the time Mora has been in charge at UCLA, there has not been a drop off with any of these issues.

The secondary is the most prepared and most developed group on this squad. UCLA has done a fine job recruiting, evaluating, developing talent and having this position ready for their opponents each and every week.

The anchor of the secondary, Jaleel Wadood, is a guy that has been a force for UCLA since his freshman year and having him return for his senior season is going to be a good thing, especially with all-around DB go-to guy Goforth moving on. Expect Pickett and Meadors to continue to develop as well.

What Needs to Improve?

There are a few things the Bruins have to work with in this department. Even though the DB Coach Demetrice Martin has done a fantastic job of elevating level of play of his group, there were a few players that still need time to develop. Having several talented players on the team is great, but if they are not on the same page, it could be messy.

The Bruins also have to evaluate the secondary in the grand scheme of the defense. Though the DBs were good at defending the air, they often stumbled when helping the run game.

On more than one occasion an opposing running back would break through the defensive line and get into the next level. The unsuspecting DBs would not be able to get to them because of bad attacking angles or being out of position which resulted in an abundance of rushing yards for they opponent.