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UCLA Football: Way-too-early 2-deep depth chart projection for 2022

By Jackson Caudell

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 16: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins gathers his teammates during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 16: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins gathers his teammates during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Aug 28, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Martell Irby (12) carries the ball on a fumble recovery against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Martell Irby (12) carries the ball on a fumble recovery against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary

Starting Striker: Martell Irby
Backup: Shea Pitts

Starting cornerbacks: Devin Kirkwood, Azizi Hearn
Backups: Mos Osling III, John Humphrey

Starting safeties: Kenny Churchwell III, Stephan Blaylock
Backups: Kamari Ramsey, Elisha Guidry

Most of the starters in this year’s UCLA secondary are going to be experienced players that were backups on the team last season. This is the one position on the defense that Kelly did not think he needed to add multiple transfers to yet and it might remain that way.

At striker/nickel, Martell Irby is going to be moving into that spot as a redshirt senior and he was the backup last season. He put together 27 tackles in 2021 and that number will be higher this season. Devin Kirkwood and Azizi Hearn are going to be the starting cornerbacks, with Kirkwood being a backup last season and Hearn coming over from Wyoming.

Look for Kenny Churchwell III and Stephen Blaylock to be the starting safeties. Blaylock was third on the team in tackles last season and is probably the best playmaker in the secondary for the Bruins defense.

Next. NFL Mock Draft 2022: Super Bowl weekend edition. dark

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