The offseason has been full of changes for UCLA football, with nearly every Bruin adding weight and many learning new roles as the team implements new concepts.
Deon Hollins’ offseason has been very different. The rising senior, though his position title has switched from 3-4 outside linebacker to 4-3 defensive end, will still be filling the same role in the UCLA defense: pass-rush specialist.
So this offseason, he enlisted the help of some fellow specialists to fine-tune his rushing technique.
“I don’t really want to say (who), but it’s definitely some guys that are very respected in the game,” Hollins said. “I think I’ve put on a pretty good showing for the spring, so it’s definitely paying off.”
From a statistical standpoint, Hollins’ junior season was a disappointment – he only recorded 2.5 sacks – but the Pac-12 coaches still named the Houston native to the All-Pac-12 second team.
As many Bruins pick up completely new concepts in spring camp, Hollins has been able to focus on refinement.
“Just small technical things,” Hollins said. “Get-offs, hand movements, things like that. A lot of small things add up to big changes.”
Much of the shift from 3-4 outside linebacker to 4-3 defensive end is purely nominal, but Hollins has transitioned to working with the defensive line coach Angus McClure and the other linemen during spring camp.
McClure’s previous experience as an offensive line coach has helped Hollins adjust and continue to grow as a pass-rusher.
“His perspective from the offensive line has paid a lot of dividends,” Hollins said. “It’s small things, reading their stances, just reading down-and-distance, knowing what the offensive coordinator’s thinking.”
Hollins said he expects to drop back in coverage slightly more than he did last fall, estimating that he might do so on 20 to 25 percent of snaps.
Howard studies up
Rising freshman wide receiver Theo Howard spoke to media Wednesday morning, but not before he put in a little extra after-practice work with rising sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen. Howard said he’s been most impressed with Rosen’s ball placement thus far.
“He can really get the ball where it needs to be,” Howard said. “Sometimes it just looks effortless to him.”
Howard, for his part, has looked exciting in spring camp, showcasing not just his trademark speed but also a solid ability to get open against college corners. After checking in at 172 pounds during his high school playing days, Howard has bulked up to 180 pounds and hopes to get to 185 by the time the season starts.
“When I came in, I wanted to gain some pounds so I could be able to play with a lot of the older guys, a lot of the guys that are a little bit bigger and more physical than me,” Howard said.
Receivers Eldridge Massington, a rising redshirt junior, and Kenny Walker, a rising redshirt senior, have stressed the value of studying the playbook and watching film, Howard said.
That increased importance of the mental aspect of the game has been the biggest adjustment in Howard’s transition to the college level, he said. Luckily, as an early enrollee, he has the spring to begin the learning process.
“It’s a huge advantage,” Howard said of arriving at UCLA in the spring. “I’m still learning some of the plays so imagining coming in later, during the summer – that’s definitely a big advantage (to be at UCLA already).”
Asked who would win in a race between Howard and the speedy Walker, the rising freshman responded in his notoriously humble manner.
“I have no idea, Kenny has some speed,” Howard said. “One day we’ll have to race.”
Back in action
The Bruins’ thin ranks at linebacker have been a story throughout spring camp, as injuries have forced rising seniors Jayon Brown and Cameron Judge to take nearly every repetition at the Will and Mike linebacker spots, respectively.
Brown and Judge got a little reprieve Wednesday when rising freshman Mique Juarez and rising sophomore Josh Woods returned from injuries. Juarez had been out with a concussion, Woods with a hamstring issue.
“We’re not trying to push anything in the spring with people’s injuries,” Judge said. “(We want to) get them healthy before we rush them back out here, extend their injuries.”
Woods, who earned praise from linebackers coach Scott White earlier this spring, has been learning a variety of roles in case the Bruins suffer injury troubles in the fall. He is playing the Will spot in 11-on-11 drills, but said he also knows the Sam position and will play the Mike in nickel and dime packages.
“(Coach White) definitely puts a lot on my plate because he challenges me every practice, every meeting, all spring,” Woods said. “(And) I know he’s going to be like that all summer.”
Email Cummings at mcummings@dailybruin.com or tweet @mbcummings15.