Looking Ahead: Football Depth Next Season and Beyond - Defense

by norcald503 on Jul 8, 2008 8:33 PM PDT Comment 16 comments

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

Per N's request, I've decided to put together a bit of analysis (with a good amount of my own speculation thrown in) on how our football depth chart shapes up for this upcoming season ('08-'09), next season ('09-'10), and the season following ('10-'11). I know some people (mostly the MSM) are fretting about the loss of a couple of recruits in our secondary, but given our depth there, that shouldn't be problem for us.

I think having this information broken down will help give us some perspective to gauge how our recruiting efforts are shaping up, see where we're going to need to get help down the line, and touch off a bit of discussion.

To make it a bit easier to sort, I've broke each group up into separate block quote sections:

DEFENSE

SECONDARY

'08-'09 (11 total scholarship players):

CB1: Alterraun Verner (JR)
FS: Aaron Ware (RS JR)
SS: Bret Lockett (SR)
CB2: Michael Norris (RS SR)

Reserves: Courtney Viney, CB (RS FR); Glenn Love, S (RS FR)

Incoming Freshmen: Rahim Moore, S (5 stars, #2 by Scout); E.J. Woods, S (4 stars, #9 by Scout); Anthony Dye, CB (4 stars, #9 by Scout); Aaron Hester, CB (4 stars, #19 by Scout); Sean Westgate, S/LB (3 stars, #83 by Scout)

Notes: Rahim Moore and E.J. Woods are most highly touted recruits and should push Lockett, Ware, and Norris for playing time; the only guaranteed returning starter is Verner.

'09-'10 (11 total scholarship players)

CB1: ATV (SR)
FS: Ware (RS SR)
SS: Love (RS SO)
CB2: Viney (RS SO)

Reserves: Moore, S (RS FR or SO); Woods, S (RS FR or SO); Dye, CB (RS FR or SO); Hester, CB (RS FR or SO); Westgate, S (RS FR or SO)

Incoming Freshmen: Alex Mascarenas, CB (3 stars, #38 by Scout); Sheldon Price, CB (3 stars, #33 by Scout)

Notes: This scenario assumes ATV doesn't jump to the NFL and assumes all veteran players will start. Of course, given the talent of Moore, Woods, Dye, or Hester, any of them could be in the starting secondary. Again, the only for-sure starter is Verner.

'10-'11 (9 scholarship players):

CB1: Viney (RS JR)
FS: Love (RS JR)
SS: Moore/Woods (RS SO or JR)
CB2: Dye/Hester (RS SO or JR)

Reserves: Moore/Woods, S (RS SO or JR); Dye/Hester (RS SO or JR); Westgate, S (RS SO or JR); Mascarenas, CB (RS FR or SO); Price, CB (RS FR or SO)

Notes: This assumes that CRN and DW don't bring in any additional secondary talent in either the Class of '09 or '10.

ASSESSMENT: Given our depth in the secondary, which runs well into the '10-'11 season, I don't think losing Byron Moore to U$C or Marlon Pollard to ND is a major concern. While the secondary will go through some growing pains this next season (as Norris has no real starting experience and it's likely we'll be bringing in a couple of freshmen to start at times), we look pretty solid in the back for years to come. As much as we rail on KD, this is one place where he didn't leave the cupboard bare for future seasons (although I suspect most of these guys are DW guys, not KD guys).

LINEBACKERS

'08-'09 (9 total scholarship players):

SLB: John Hale (SR)
MLB: Reggie Carter (RS JR)
WLB: Kyle Bosworth (SR)

Reserves: Akeem Ayers, SLB (RS FR); Steve Sloan, MLB (RS FR); Josh Edwards, WLB (RS SR); Mike Schmitt (RS SO)

Incoming Freshmen: Donovan Carter, SLB (3 stars, #18 by Scout); Patrick Larimore, MLB (3 stars, #18 by Scout)

Notes: Incoming freshman Sean Westgate is a S/LB combo; Reggie Carter is switching from OLB to MLB this season.

'09-'10 (8 total scholarship players)

SLB: Ayers (RS SO)
MLB: R. Carter (RS SR)
WLB: Sloan (RS SO)/Schmitt (RS JR)

Reserves: Sloan, MLB (RS SO)/Schmitt, WLB (RS JR); D. Carter, SLB (RS FR or SO); Larimore, MLB (RS FR or SO)

Incoming Freshmen: Todd Golper, MLB (4 stars, #7 by Scout); Isaiah Bowens, SLB (3 stars, #20 by Scout)

Notes: This scenario assumes both that Reggie doesn't leave a year early. and that CRN and DW don't bring more LB talent in the Class of '09. The only for-sure starter is R. Carter.

'10-'11 (7 scholarship players):

SLB: Ayers (RS JR)
MLB: Sloan (RS JR)
WLB: Schmitt (RS SR)

Reserves: D. Carter, SLB (RS SO or JR); Larimore, MLB (RS SO or JR); Golper, MLB (RS FR or SO); Bowens, SLB (RS FR or SO)

Notes: At this point in time, there's no sure-way of knowing who will be starting. Golper, D. Carter and Larimore could all be pushing to start ahead of Schmitt and Ayers, although both Ayers and Sloan were highly touted recruits. If they live up to their potential, they should be solid starters for us down the line. Also, the above assumes there are no additional LB recruits in the Class of '09 or '10.

ASSESSMENT: We should be solid at LB this season, but the corps gets thinner over the next couple of seasons. While not an area of immediate concern, CRN and DW should plan to bring in some more talent to add depth in the Class of '09 and definitely with the Class of '10.

DEFENSIVE LINE

'08-'09 (15 total scholarship players):

LE: Korey Bosworth (RS JR)
DT1: Brian Price (SO)
DT2: Brigham Harwell (RS SR)
RE: Tom Blake (RS SR)

Reserves: Chinonso Anyanwu, DE (RS JR); David Carter, DE (RS SO); Reginald Stokes, DE (RS SO); Justin Edison, DE (RS FR); Jess Ward, DT (RS JR); Jeff Miller, DT (RS SO); Nathaniel Skaggs, DT (RS SR); Jerzy Siewierski, DT (JR); Chase Moline, DT (SR)

Incoming Freshmen: Damien Holmes, DE (4 stars, #6 by Scout); Datone Jones, DE (4 stars, #23 by Scout)

Notes: Brigham Harwell is returning from a medical redshirt; Blake will be replacing Bruce Davis.

'09-'10 (11 total scholarship players)

LE: Bosworth (RS SR)
DT1: Price (JR)
DT2: Siewierski (SR)/Ward (RS SR)
RE: Anyanwu (RS SR)/Stokes (RS JR)

Reserves: Anyanwu, DE (RS SR)/Stokes, DE (RS JR); D. Carter, DE (RS JR); Edison, DE (RS SO); Siewierski, DT (SR)/Ward, DT (RS SR); Miller, DT (RS SO); Holmes, DE (RS FR or SO); Jones, DE (RS FR or SO)

Incoming Freshmen: No current commits for Class of ‘09

Notes: This scenario assumes there are no defensive linemen in the Class of ’09. Either Edison, Holmes, or Jones could be pushing for the starting position at RE against Anyanwu and Stokes.

'10-'11 (7 scholarship players):

LE: Edison (RS JR)/Holmes (RS SO or JR)
DT1: Price (SR)
DT2: Miller (RS JR)
RE: Stokes (RS SR)/Jones (RS SO or JR)

Reserves: Stokes, DE (RS SR)/Jones, DE (RS SO or JR); D. Carter, DE (RS SR); Edison, DE (RS JR)/Holmes, DE (RS SO or JR)

Notes: This scenario assumes there are no defensive linemen in the Class of ’09 or Class of ’10. At the point, it’s very likely Jones and/or Holmes could be regular starters. There is no depth at DT, with only Price and Miller remaining.

ASSESSMENT: Given our current depth along the defensive front, this should be the strongest component of this year’s defensive squad. The return of Harwell will be huge for the line, helping soften the blow from losing Bruce Davis to the NFL. Holmes and Jones are highly touted DE recruits, who should be able to become solid starters down the line. Price will be a solid starter at DT for a couple of years. However, our depth at DT drops off quickly, and by ’10-’11, we’ll be down to just 2 DTs. Landing some big interior defensive linemen should be a priority for CRN and DW in the Class of ’09 and ’10.

I'll follow up with the same 3 year projection for our offense in a bit. Stay tuned.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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great post

Keep up the good work

by brand0n on Jul 9, 2008 12:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Norcal!!

Very nice analysis. Sure does look like losing those 2 recruits won’t be such a big deal from a personnel perspective. Besides, any kid who could visit UCLA and then pick another school doesn’t show really good judgement skills, anyway, right?

And, thanks for spending the time to write this post. Glad you don’t have to spend your time doing anything else, especially like prepping for anything, say a test, or something… (!)

greg in denver

by gbruin on Jul 9, 2008 6:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If I didn't take time...

...away from the BarBri books/outlines/practice tests every so often for a break and refocus my energy elsewhere, I’d probably go insane.

by norcald503 on Jul 9, 2008 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

TY

for laying it all out. I wasn’t concerned with Moore or Pollard leaving. We have a lot of talent coming in with the FR class. We also have Jet Ski & Moutra who can also play in the secondary should the staff feel it is a better fit.

The LB’s look like there is good depth but I hope the staff can get a big time playmaker a la Manti but that may be wishful thinking at this given point in time.

The unit that really concerns me is the DL. Specifically the DT position. The West is known for not producing many high level DT prospects but we still need bodies. Price is no guarantee to stick around for 4 years thus it is crucial that we get at least 3 in this upcoming class. Miller is very light for a DT and we have yet to see anything from him to this point. The DE position was helped out with Jones & Holmes however once again, I don’t see many playmakers. Chinny is too light and we haven’t seen much from Stokes/Carter/Edison. They haven’t had much of an opportunity to play thus far and may need more development. I just think we need a big time speed rusher off the edge.
I’m sure the staff sees this as well and hopefully we get some commits for the DL.

by BlueReign on Jul 9, 2008 8:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

100% agree with you

Our OL and DL are the biggest areas of concern. Otherwise, we look solid going forward. But I trust CRN, NC, and DW to bring in the linemen on both sides of the ball that we’re going to need.

I know we’re loathe to talk about the enemy’s success, but when you look at U$C, they have been so good for so long because they always have an excellent line (with a couple of All-Americans and high-draft picks on both the D-Line and O-Line, year in and year out).

I’m sure NC is well aware of this and will have our line situation straightened out in the next recruiting class or two.

by norcald503 on Jul 9, 2008 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think dl will be ok

i dont see price going anywhere until maybe after his junior season. and with him and jerzy for the following year, we’ll be more than fine. that year i predict they will both be all americans. mark my words…

Its so much harder to look at these positions to judge two to three years down the line. Two years ago when Bruce Davis started at dend he was the big question mark.

I dont see Reggie coming back after next season. He should have a break out year as an inside backer, especially with our line and I dont see him making the same mistake Havner made a few years ago…

by beeru on Jul 11, 2008 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but...

...the problem I have with our defensive line isn’t in the present. I agree: our defensive line should be solid this year and next, and I certainly agree Price has a good shot to blow up into an All-American talent. I definitely think that will happen if he can stay focused on the prize.

My problem isn’t that these guys aren’t talented, or that it will be hard to judge how good they will be in two seasons; rather, my problem is that when you look at our current roster and project it two years into the future, to the ‘10-’11 season, you will find that we will only have 2 DTs on the roster. That leaves exactly zero backup DTs should one get injured. Even if Price stays until his senior year, that still leaves us with only 2 DTs. Unless we switch to a 3-4 defense, which I don’t think will be happening, that leaves us with no reserve DTs.

My point in making these projections is to gauge where we need to focus our recruiting efforts the next two seasons. Based on those projections, we need to bring in some DTs in either the Class of ‘09 or ‘10 simply because we will be left with only two guys at the position (unless you plan on converting some DEs into DTs) by the ‘10-’11 season.

Beeru, I think you mis-read my message. Again, I agree with you: our DL is going to be great this year and next and Price is sure to be the foundation of our DL going into the future. But that doesn’t change the raw numbers and if CRN and DW don’t bring in more DTs in the next two recruiting classes, we’ll have no margin for injury.

by norcald503 on Jul 11, 2008 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're right

i completely missed the purpose of your post and i do apologize. i am one hundred percent behind you too. if one of those guys down, as of now, we are in deep trouble. gotcha…

by beeru on Jul 11, 2008 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No need...

...to apologize. I hope my comment didn’t come across as being combative. I just wanted to make sure what I was saying was clear. As I’m learning, sometimes, in my posts, the point isn’t always 100% clear.

Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. :)

by norcald503 on Jul 12, 2008 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could it be

that those two recruits bolted because they looked at the depth chart and didn’t like the competition? Maybe they foresaw little playing time. Anyway, great job norcal. It’s clear we need to get ourselves some LBs…wish Ken Norton Jr. hadn’t been shafted by CTS…

by tasser10 on Jul 9, 2008 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Anylsis -503

And good luck on the Bar, Norcald503 ! I did’nt pass it; but I was a mail order student and over 60 when I took it. My daughter, however, graduated from UCLA Law School and she passed it and has been a law firm partner and now a City Attorney – no sweat ! You can too !

UCLA is going to get good talent. Good enough in the years to come to be a great football team, now that we have a good coach. Not the celebrity RN – the Coach RN. And now that Bruin Fans are never going to let a KD era happen again. Never !

The UCLA Bruins – the thinking persons football team.

Look forward to the Offensive Analysis (Legal Brief.).

by northbaybruin on Jul 9, 2008 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to try...

...to get the offensive side of it turned out tonight when I break from studying for the night. It’ll be a bit more in-depth as we have a lot of guys at WR, HB, and QB. Stay tuned and thanks for the well-wishes on the bar!

by norcald503 on Jul 9, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

End of my support

I have been a UCLA football fan since 1954. I was seven years old and first heard about them winning a National Football Championship. I followed them, was fortunate to be able to attend and graduate from there, and continued to support them after I graduated. I have been a season ticket holder, have been through tough seasons (I attended all 11 games in ‘89 when they went 3-7-l) and have always been proud of my affilitation with them as an alumnus and a fan. No more. When the entire team walked out of practice AFTER they had been told not to, I can no longer support a team that does not want to get better. Every one of those spoiled, selfish “football non-players” (players play) have told the world that they are not interested in getting better. I NEVER left a game that they were either ahead or behind because that is what a true fan does. He supports his team because he knows that the game is always more important to the players than it is to the fans. The attitude of the current crop of “quitters” will not be supported by me, and I will not support them again until they are ALL gone. The entire squad. I write this with great sadness and anger. But they all brought it upon themselves .

by 69Bruin on Jul 9, 2008 9:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Era

Coincidently, I really got to be a Bruin Football fan when I was about nine years old taking a bus with my friend to the Colliseum. I cannot remember the year – but I remember Jim Decker kicked a last minute field goal to beat Stanford – probably 1955 (maybe somebody knows.) I saved the ticket stub and presented it to that friend as a gift 20 years later. Earlier (or later?) I was taken by my brother’s friend to a post season alumni presentation and got to shake hands with Ronnie Knox, great and somewhat controversial Quarterback- big deal for a kid. And I have watched or listened ever since and had my weekends ruined sometimes if they lost. Not going to stop now.

The tradition should never have begun. It should never happen again. I expect them to play with that much greater game intensity to make up for it. And when the time comes- they will.

Go Bruins !

by northbaybruin on Jul 9, 2008 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nikola Dragovich

I thought he was going to be a senior starter this year, after being injured last year. It seems I missed him leaving the program. Does anyone know what happened to this guy?

by bornagainbruin on Jul 18, 2008 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs