Defensive outlook

UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker raved about his defense out of Friday's scrimmage, but there is still room for improvement. Looking at the depth chart (which I posted earlier today), it appears nearly everything is set.
However, there will be competition, at least for a few spots, when training camp opens in August.
"I feel good about nine of them,'' Walker said about the starting spots. "I still think the other two are still up for grabs. I'm not going to say which ones."
From talking to people close to the program, those spots are weakside linebacker (John Hale) and free safety (Aaron Ware). Josh Edwards is sitting out spring practice because of a fractured cheek bone and should compete with Hale in August. Ware has had a strong spring, but UCLA's incoming freshmen are deep in the secondary, and several players will compete with Ware for playing time.
Walker said he was also impressed with some of the young second-team guys.
"I think guys like (Steve) Sloan, Akeem Ayers, Jerzy (Siewierski) are improving," Walker said. "I think (Reggie) Stokes showed some good stuff. Those are the ones that come to mind."