UCLA Football: 3 biggest 2021 offseason questions facing Bruins

3. Can the returning experience help improve the defense?

Among all the teams in 2020, the UCLA Bruins faced some of the most turnover with opt-outs and transfers. The Bruins had several players on their defense that started a portion of games in the past that entered the transfer portal.

Despite the unusually high number of starters that left, there are 10 players on the defensive side of the ball that made some significant starts returning for the 2021 season. They will be without one of their main rushers in Osa Odighizuwa, however, who will be moving on to the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Bruins return many of their key playmakers from the 2020 season. This was a defense that suffered multiple departures during the season. UCLA’s defense finished the season ranked 73rd in points allowed per game (30.7), 60th in total yards allowed (390) and 30th in rushing yards allowed (135.7).

The Bruins will return several of their leading tacklers including senior and former transfer Caleb Johnson, who was a surprise starter at inside linebacker this year. He accounted for 44 total tackles (team-high), 22 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks (team-high), one interception and a fumble recovery. UCLA will also return senior outside linebacker Mitchell Agude, who was Pro Football Focus’s top-graded Pac-12 edge rusher in 2020. He accounted for 23 total tackles, eight tackles for loss (team-high), 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Bruins are set to return several key experienced defensive backs for 2021. At the cornerback spots, the Bruins will return Obi Eboh as a graduate student, senior Mo Osling III and senior Jay Shaw. They will also return graduate student safety Qwuantrezz Knight and senior safety Quentin Lake, who both decided to come back instead of declaring for the NFL draft.

The Bruins will also have incoming Notre Dame transfer Jordan Genmark Heath, who plays a hybrid defensive position of linebacker/safety.

All of these experienced playmakers on defense will look to improve the defense of the Bruins for 2021. It will be up to the job of defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro to increase the efficiency of UCLA’s defense. He will be entering into his fourth year with the Bruins.