Spring practice day 3: Bruins suit up in pads for first time

Freshman linebacker Mique Juarez took some snaps with the first team defense on Saturday. Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze

Freshman linebacker Mique Juarez took some snaps with the first team defense on Saturday. Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze

The Bruins wrapped up the first week of spring practice Saturday with their first practice in full pads.

Watch video of Jim Mora’s press conference here

Read today’s notebook that focuses on the team’s balance of coaching and competition

Notes and observations:

Jim Mora was happy with the team’s ability to practice safely in pads (i.e. minimal tackling to the ground, not going after collisions too aggressively, etc.) while still maintaining physicality and competitiveness.

— False starts continue to be a problem under the new snap counts, and Mora attributed it to “a lack of concentration.” The head coach noted that the problem generally improves as practice goes on, so he would like to see better concentration at the start of the session. Offensive lineman Kenny Lacy was probably the most penalized player on Saturday and spent a large amount of time running laps for false starting. Continue reading “Spring practice day 3: Bruins suit up in pads for first time” »

UCLA spring camp position review: Linebackers

UCLA linebackers watch during the Bruins' "Spring Showcase" at the Rose Bowl on April 24, 2015. (Keith Birmingham/Staff)

UCLA linebackers watch during the Bruins’ “Spring Showcase” at the Rose Bowl on April 24, 2015. (Keith Birmingham/Staff)

A program vying for the title of “Linebacker U” is about to enter what could be a very interesting season.

Anthony Barr needed just one offseason to turn himself into a dynamic pass rusher, and helped anchor the defense in Jim Mora’s first two seasons. Eric Kendricks was quietly consistent throughout his career, but peaked last fall on his way to a Butkus Award and UCLA’s all-time tackles record. Can Myles Jack seize that leadership role as well as his two predecessors?

All signs point to yes. Jack has impressed from almost the first practice snaps he took as a Bruin, and has proven himself to be one of the best cover linebackers in college football. While his sophomore season didn’t fulfill the all-world expectations set by his incredible two-way debut in 2013, he still finished with 87 tackles and seven pass breakups. Continue reading “UCLA spring camp position review: Linebackers” »

Five-star linebacker Keisean Lucier-South commits to UCLA

The news got a bit buried as UCLA began its 38-20 demolition of USC at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night, but the Bruins picked up their biggest 2015 commitment yet an hour before kickoff.

Five-star prospect Keisean Lucier-South picked the Bruins over offers from just about every other team in the Pac-12, as well as top programs such as Alabama, Florida State and TCU. Ranked fifth-best outside linebacker in the country by Scout.com, and the third-best by Rivals.com, the 6-foot-4, 211-pounder is a consensus top-40 recruit across all positions.

The Orange Lutheran product is the second five-star recruit to commit to UCLA’s 2015 class. Top quarterback Josh Rosen has already signed a grant-in-aid agreement with the Bruins.