UCLA Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Defensive Line

Starting defensive ends: Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Rick Wade
Backups: Jaelan Phillips, Keisan Lucier-South

UCLA is looking a little thin along the line this season, as they lost three of their top five tacklers among last year’s defensive linemen — including defensive end Takkarist McKinley, who was drafted by the Falcons is the first round. The onus is on Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, a senior who earned 36 tackles and three sacks last season, to step up and become a top-tier pass rusher.

The other defensive end spot is less clear-cut, but there are more promising blue-chippers in the two-deep than most teams have on their entire roster. The most tantalizing of the bunch is five-star freshman Jaelan Phillips, who has a chance to start from day one if he can out-duel sophomore Rick Wade. It won’t be easy. Wade, who’s got a huge frame at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, showed a lot of potential as a freshman.

Lost in the hype over Phillips has been fellow five-star Keisan Lucier-South, a hybrid edge rusher who had a quiet freshman season. If either Phillips or Lucier-South lives up to their billing in 2017, this group could be downright frightening.

Starting defensive tackles: Matt Dickerson, Boss Tagaloa
Backups: Nick Terry, Greg Rogers

Senior Matt Dickerson will likely lead the charge here, but the rest of the rotation is more or less up for grabs. Coaches expect big things from Boss Tagaloa, who made 13 tackles as a freshman, but senior Nick Terry will undoubtedly earn some snaps. Almost the whole unit from 2016 returns — plus the Bruins add talented youngsters like four-star freshman Greg Rogers and redshirt freshman Osa Odighizuwa — so UCLA should once again be tough in the middle of their defense.