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Pac-12 Football: Breakout player from every team for 2016

By Gabe Encinas

October 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Tre Madden (23) is tackled by UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Tre Madden (23) is tackled by UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA is going to have a lot of positions to fill on defense without Kenny Clark and Myles Jack. They’ll have Eddie Vanderdoes returning, which will bulk up their front line. But he’s expected to do big things for the Bruins this season.

Because of that, a pleasant surprise might come from the secondary. Jaleel Wadood is a guy who could emerge as a big-time contributor for the Bruins as if he didn’t produce a lot last season for them. Wadood might have been a surprise for the team last year, but you should be able to expect bigger things from this season.

He finished the season with 72 tackles, third on the team, stepping up big time in the absence of all the defensive talent for the Bruins. He made the switch from corner to safety seamlessly in his sophomore season and he’ll be making a push to become a defensive leader, looking to move up from second team all-Pac-12, to first.

Next: 7. Peyton Pelluer

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