Looking Ahead: UCLA Defense

With Rahim Moore and Akeem Ayers officially declared for the NFL Draft and having already procured agents, the bigger question for UCLA: What now?

Here’s how the defense should look next year now…

DE: Datone Jones
Returns from missing the entire season with a broken foot.

DT: Cassius Marsh
A good freshman season where he showed a ton of potential.

DT: Nate Chandler/Brandon Willis/Seali’i Epenesa
With David Carter gone, the Bruins will need to find a suitable No. 2 DT.

DE: Owamagbe Odighizuwa/Damien Holmes
Owa is more suited for rush end, but his talent could for UCLA’s hand.

OLB: Sean Westgate
Undersized, but for the most part stayed true to gaps and performed well.

MLB: Patrick Larimore
Budding star showed flashes of greatness before season-ending shoulder injury.

OLB: Jordan Zumwalt
Bruins didn’t expect to have to turn to him so early, but he handled the responsibility well.

CB: Sheldon Price
Called UCLA’s best cover corner by coaches, still needs to put on weight.

SS: Tony Dye
Made the biggest leap in 2010 and poised for a big year next year.

FS: Dietrich Riley
Big hitter was just itching to see field more. Now he gets his turn.

CB: Aaron Hester
High-risk, high-reward cornerback will be heavily relied on next year.