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Pac-12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Chase Griffin (11) sets to pass the ball during overtime against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Chase Griffin (11) sets to pass the ball during overtime against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA

The UCLA Bruins are in a pivotal season under Chip Kelly. After a season where the Bruins seemingly turned the corner offensively, the Bruins need to improve on defense. As a result, UCLA was busy in the portal this offseason with six signees.

The Bruins also had their best recruiting class under Kelly. It is hard to say how different UCLA’s record will be, but Kelly and his staff picked up players from elite, winning programs. Players have transferred from Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Alabama.

It will be interesting how much better the Bruins will be this fall.

  • Ale Kaho (transfer), LB: Kaho has had quite a journey during his college career. The Nevada native began his career committing to Washington before transferring to Alabama. While at Alabama, Kaho played sparingly, amassing 33 tackles in three seasons. Before signing with the Bruins, Kaho was on the verge of going to Utah. But, no matter how Kaho got to Los Angeles, he upgrades a linebacking group in need of talent depth. Kaho also gives the Bruins an experienced special teamer.
  • Devin Kirkwood, ATH/S: Though Stephan Blaylock and Quinten Lake are seniors, Kirkwood is too good of an athlete to leave off of the field. At 6-foot-3, Kirkwood is a collegiate safety with cornerback ball skills. Immediately, Kirkwood can come and cover the slot in three or four-wide receiver sets. Kirkwood could even see some snaps at safety despite the veteran presence. Kirkwood is a plug-and-play defensive back on day one with his ability to shadow and run with fast receivers.
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