UCLA links: Jayon Brown flourishes in spy role

UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown (12) hits BYU quarterback Taysom Hill (7) as he throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown (12) hits BYU quarterback Taysom Hill (7) as he throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

UCLA has six sacks in the past two games, thanks in part to a small shift from the defense that assigns one linebacker to spy/cover the quarterback, thus freeing the defensive line to rush more freely without the worry of the quarterback escaping. Linebacker Jayon Brown has flourished in that role as he’s led the Bruins in tackles in back-to-back games and is third in the Pac-12 in tackles per game with 8.2.

More on Brown’s changing role on the defense.

Other links: