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UCLA Football: 5 takeaways from Bruins’ spring 2018

By Connor Muldowney

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero (L) and Chip Kelly hold up a jersey during a press conference introducing Kelly as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero (L) and Chip Kelly hold up a jersey during a press conference introducing Kelly as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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UCLA football is headed toward a new direction as Chip Kelly has taken over the program. What can we make of the Bruins after spring ball?

It’s been an eventful offseason for UCLA which all came to a close with the annual spring game. Chip Kelly took over as the team’s new head coach, replacing Jim Mora, and the Bruins landed a number of top recruits in the 2018 cycle despite a coaching change.

Moreover, UCLA landed Michigan quarterback transfer Wilton Speight, throwing a slight wrench into the plans of having Devon Modster replace Josh Rosen under center.

With the eventful spring in the rearview mirror, the Bruins can focus on the depth chart particulars and come back strong for summer camp.

What’d we learn about the Bruins this spring?

5. Defense showed signs of life

Although Chip Kelly isn’t known as a defensive-minded coach, his Bruins looked more competitive on that side of the ball during the spring game than in years past. In fact, the Bruins recorded three interceptions in the game and proved to be more than just there for show.

The defense allowed about 37 points per game in 2017 which was good for 117th in the country as well as 483 yards per contest — which was one of the worst totals in the nation as well.

Granted, it’s easier to defend when you don’t have to face off against Josh Rosen, but Devon Modster and the rest of the Bruin quarterbacks have the potential to put up big numbers this year as well.

If the defense can somehow get over that mediocre hump, the Bruins could be one of the teams to watch in 2018 out of the Pac-12.

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