A year ago, UCLA boasted talent and youth on the defensive line. Then-freshmen end Eddie Vanderdoes and tackle Kenny Clark each appeared in all 13 games, and were starters by the end of the year.
If defensive line coach Angus McClure has his way, expect more of the same the coming season.
The Bruins bring in three freshmen defensive lineman this year – ends Matt Dickerson and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and tackle Ainuu Taua. All three were consensus four-star recruits. All three are expected to contribute sooner rather than later.
“Everyone knows I like to use a lot of guys, I like to keep guys fresh in a game, especially with all the high-tempo offenses that we see,” said McClure. “(The freshmen) certainly have the athletic ability, they are gaining knowledge and you’ll see them on the field soon.”
The youth movement on the defensive line arises partly out of talent, and partly out of urgency. Defensive end Cassius Marsh and defensive tackle Seali’i Epenesa are both gone, along with their 55 combined starts over the past four years.
The unit has also seen its fair share of injuries. While junior defensive end Ellis McCarthy (soreness) is the only player in the rotation to miss significant time this camp, redshirt senior defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa missed the entire 2013 season with a hip injury, while redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Eli Ankou missed the majority of it with a knee injury. Vanderdoes was absent from spring camp due to a broken foot.
In light of this, a consistent rotation up front seems to be just as much a necessity as a preference.
“Ever since I’ve got here, its been sort of the culture on the D-line. There’s a big rotation, its not just two-three guys,” said Ankou, who has seen reps with both the first and second team this fall. “If you can play, if you can help us, you’re going to get in you’re going to have an impact on the game.”
That certainly is the hope.
The initial assessment is that the new Bruins appear ready for their trial by fire. McClure praised Dickerson’s hands and length, and said that the 6-foot-5 inch, 270-pound freshman can “really shock and separate from guys.” Tuioti-Mariner is another whose pass rushing skills in particular have impressed. He has consistently gotten to the quarterback at fall camp, albeit without making any actual contact.
“The banana guys, the yellow guys, we don’t touch them,” McClure said, referring to the yellow jerseys worn by the quarterbacks. “I’ll be back to substitute teaching if we do.”
All for kicks
Mora confirmed Friday that there is indeed a battle brewing between junior-transfer Matt Mengel and redshirt freshman Adam Searl for the punter spot vacated by Sean Covington, who left the team in late July. Searl has seen the majority of the reps this week, as the team has worked extensively in special teams over the past couple of days.
Mora said that he was “real concerned” about the spot at the beginning of camp, but that concern appears to have subsided 14 practices in. He praised Searl in particular, saying that junior is “very improved” from a year ago and that he trusts him.
Injury report
Mora was pleased with the relative health of his team, saying that the players were “in much better shape” than the previous two years.
– Redshirt junior wide receiver Devin Lucien passed a concussion test Friday morning and could be back Monday, when the team returns to UCLA.
– Freshman linebacker Zach Whitley ran on the side Friday morning, the first time he has been back on the field after suffering a concussion at the beginning of camp. Mora said that Whitley, along with sophomore offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry (concussion), could return Monday.
– Redshirt sophomore cornerback Marcus Rios (migraine) returned to practice Friday.
– Junior safety Randall Goforth was in a red no-contact jersey Friday after suffering a shoulder injury in Monday night’s practice.
– Redshirt junior center Jake Brendel (knee) continues to sit out, though Mora seemed pleased with his recovery. Sophomore guard Alex Redmond worked at center for the second consecutive day in Brendel’s absence.