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The UCLA defense took a big step forward in a cropped 2020 season under the leadership of defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro and assistant head coach Brian Norwood.
Azzinaro has been on the program since 2017, but Norwood was a new addition in 2020. The duo installed a new 4-2-5 defensive system which led to some reshuffle among their returning staff.
Like Norwood, some of the Bruins’ major contributors were new faces, from the transfer portal, trying to not only learn a new playbook, but their new surroundings in a unique year disrupted by the coronavirus.
Those transfers included linebacker Caleb Johnson (Fullerton College / Texas), linebacker Mitchell Agude (Riverside City College), nickel-back Qwuantrezz Knight (Kent State) and defensive back Obi Eboh (Stanford).
Knight and Eboh have the opportunity to work closely with Norwood due to his responsibility as the team’s defensive back coach.
“(Norwood) really cares about their players,” Knight said. “If he sees that you are feeling down, he will come to you on a personal level. … Just knowing that you have a coach like this by your side makes you want to play hard for him. I think all players feel that way for him.
With 10 returning starters and a full offseason to prepare, the Bruins expect another positive step. For that to happen, they need to improve on the scoreboard after allowing 30 points per game in 2020 (ranked 73rd nationally).
The Bruins broke a major hurdle last season by briefly securing their record above 0.500 for the first time since Oct. 21, 2017.
It didn’t last long when they lost their last two games of the season (to USC and Stanford at home) by a total of six points. Their four losses ended in a total of just 15 points.
Norwood believes the way last season ended took into account the approach of the program this season and the players’ understanding of the need to control what can be controlled in order to be successful.
They have held each other accountable throughout the offseason and know that even the smallest detail could have made the difference in last season’s results.
“It’s just raising the bar,” Norwood said. “They understand that last year it was thumbs up and that they had a chance in every game.
“We haven’t played a game that we haven’t had the chance to win. We have to find a way to be victorious.
DEFENSIVE BACK
High school is made up of experienced upper class students who often serve as the vocal leaders of the program, but it can also be the area that needs the most improvement.
The Bruins are ranked 114th nationally (of 127) against the assist in 2020.
Norwood remains encouraged about the group and recognizes what needs to be done to improve.
“We have a lot of energy in the squad and a lot of energy to improve,” said Norwood. “Guys understand from watching last year’s movie that we have to get better at the little things.
“It’s not so much sometimes where (the receivers) were just open but sometimes ended up at the point of attack.”
Seniors Stephan Blaylock and Quentin Lake will start safe while Eboh and Cameron Johnson will start in the corner with Knight as nickel.
Cameron Johnson is listed as a senior in the Red Shirts, but he will see his first action with the Bruins after being transferred from North Texas this year.
Real freshman Devin Kirkwood is listed behind Johnson on the depths chart, but is expected to see the pitch to some extent. Kirkwood has been held in high regard since his arrival.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Coach Chip Kelly was challenged to fill the void left by Osa Odighizuwa, who was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and is the only D-line starter not to return.
Kelly said it would be next to impossible to match Odighizuwa’s output with a single player, so he’s counting on the group as a whole to fill the void.
“It’s the cool part of college football,” Kelly said. “Every year is a new year and you have to replace people but for us there are a lot of guys (to inherit the load).
Senior Otito Ogbonnia and senior redshirt Datona Jackson will start up front with Agude serving as outside linebacker / defensive end.
“Ogbonnia is entering her fourth year here and is really improving,” Kelly said. “He’s an inside guy who really helped us out a bit.”
Agude started five of seven games last season and recorded 24 tackles, including nine for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles and had a pass break in his freshman year.
There is confidence in the depth available with older people like Odua Isibor and Tyler Manoa.
Freshman Jay Toia spent spring camp with USC, but transferred to UCLA for the start of fall camp. Kelly said he would be eligible to play immediately, even though he was not on the two-deep depth table.
Outside linebacker Myles Jackson could also be a key contributor this year. Jackson has missed the last six games of the season with a knee injury that required surgery.
LINEBACKERS
Caleb Johnson, Jordan Genmark-Heath and Bo Calvert were listed as starting linebackers for the Bruins on Monday when the depth chart was released.
Caleb Johnson recorded team highs with 544 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his first year with UCLA.
Going into his fourth year, Calvert will play the outside linebacker, known as the Raider post, after six starts and 28 tackles last season as an inside linebacker.
Genmark-Heath played 13 games in each of his three seasons with Notre Dame. Junior redshirt Ale Kaho, a transfer from Alabama, and freshman Devin Aupiu, a transfer from Notre Dame, are both eligible and could contribute this season.
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