UCLA football’s defense builds on 2020 season, sees new faces in lineup
Rising senior linebacker Caleb Johnson and his 5.5 sacks a year ago were part of a much-improved UCLA football defense that led the Pac-12 with 3.29 sacks per game. (Liz Ketcham/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Sam Connon
April 27, 2021 4:50 p.m.
When assistant head coach Brian Norwood arrived in Westwood last year, the Bruins’ defense was in for a makeover.
The former Navy defensive coordinator added a striker position and new 4-2-5 look to the playbook, and – under his and defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro’s guidance – UCLA football’s defense became far more aggressive and active in the backfield than it was in 2019. The Bruins led the Pac-12 in sacks per game and rushing yards allowed per carry in 2020 with 3.29 and 3.6, respectively, after posting one of their worst defensive seasons in program history the year prior.
Returning every contributing linebacker to the roster in 2021 means further improvements could be in store, according to rising redshirt senior linebacker Caleb Johnson.
“We built a good foundation,” Johnson said. “Everyone was kind of getting used to the new plays, so now everything’s coming together.”
UCLA’s linebacking corps is back on the field trying to build on that foundation, with spring practice starting Friday and set to continue into late May. Spring ball means new faces, which in the case of Johnson’s group, means adding Alabama transfer Ale Kaho and Notre Dame transfer Jordan Genmark Heath into the mix.
Johnson said establishing a culture and getting familiar with Norwood’s system over the course of 2020’s shortened season set the Bruins up to be able to add new talent more seamlessly.
“We were learning (last year), but also our coaches were learning too,” Johnson said. “Now it’s just easier to explain and teach everything in a more clear and understanding way, so that’s definitely a big part. They’re picking it up fast, Ale and Jordan.”
Through two practices, the defense has forced its fair share of turnovers in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. On Friday, it was rising senior linebacker Bo Calvert who picked up an interception and got the defensive sideline going wild in celebration.
On Monday, it was rising redshirt senior safety Quentin Lake and early enrollee defensive back Devin Kirkwood who picked off the Bruin quarterbacks and similarly got their teammates riled up. Calvert said that while starting spring camp later than most other Power Five programs hasn’t necessarily given UCLA more energy in practice over the past week, the delayed start means the Bruins can carry their momentum more easily into the fall.
“The transition from the end of spring ball to the beginning of fall camp is a lot shorter,” Calvert said. “You’re able to have a lot of the reps that you put in (to) kind of maintain that sort of mental side of the game and not lose plays and not lose reps.”
Another new linebacker isn’t exactly new to the team – rising senior Martell Irby. The running back-turned-striker did not take the field in 2020 because of nagging injuries, but now he has officially made the switch to the other side of the ball.
Standing at 5-foot-8, Irby doesn’t have the normal size of a linebacker, but his athleticism and stocky 200-plus-pound frame have impressed his teammates so far.
“He’s definitely an athlete,” Johnson said. “I didn’t even know he played both ways in high school. … I think he can be a real good player for us. He’s learning pretty fast.”
Moving on up
Two former Bruins are set to get picked during this upcoming weekend’s NFL Draft – running back Demetric Felton and defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa.
Odighizuwa anchored UCLA’s defense over the past few seasons, and Calvert offered his two cents on why he’s primed to make a big leap when he gets to the pros.
“He’s north of 280 (pounds) and he’s still got a six-pack,” Calvert said. “I think he’s a real three-down lineman. He’s able to get in there, get penetration in the run, get vertical in passing downs and he’s able to read off of pullers and blow things up.”
Johnson wished his former teammate the best as well and said whoever winds up taking Odighizuwa would be happy with the end result.
“We’re definitely going to miss him on the D-line – that’s for sure,” Johnson said. “But I feel like he’s gonna be in the NFL for a long time; he’s going to definitely be a great player for somebody. I hope he finds a good home.”
