LOS ANGELES — Defense stole the spotlight at UCLA’s football’s third practice of spring Saturday morning.
The defense grabbed four interceptions during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills and forced even more incomplete passes through pressure and pass breakups. There was toned-down contact, but it still produced an audible sound of pads cracking.
“Practice has gotten more physical,” defensive lineman Keanu Williams told reporters. “We needed that. I’m glad to implement it. We’re going into a big conference, we’ve got to play against some big dudes. So we’ve got to be a little bit more physical than we were before.”
Saturday’s practice began with physicality. The entire team huddled and, at the center of the mass, there was a one-on-one shoving match. Select players were predetermined at a team meeting prior to practice to go up against each other to see who could – literally – push the other harder and across a line.
Linebacker Kain Medrano took on running back TJ Harden. Medrano, with a smile, reluctantly admitted to reporters that TJ won.
“It’s just something to get the energy going early at practice,” Medrano said. “Something light just to get the energy going, nothing too hard on the body.”
Ikaika Malloe is in his first season in the dual role of defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. He’s keeping the defense similar to last season, according to head coach DeShaun Foster and Medrano, aside from some terminology changes.
The defense has to adjust to the Bruins’ new NFL-style offense, which offers longer breaks in between plays.
“That gives the defense a little time to catch their breath,” Medrano said. “So for the defense, it’s max out every play because you’ve got that six, seven seconds right in between each play to catch your breath, realign and go from there.”
Linebacker and current freshman Ty Lee intercepted Luke Duncan during a 7-on-7 drill and early enrollee Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins picked off Justyn Martin in an 11-on-11 drill. Transfer Ramon Henderson, who previously played at Notre Dame, picked two passes from Ethan Garbers in two separate 11-on-11 periods.
“That’s a great day,” Williams said of Henderson. “He’s balling. It’s been a collective effort on the back end. Everybody’s in their cover spots, everybody’s where they’re supposed to be.”
Schlee enters transfer portal
Quarterback Collin Schlee entered the transfer portal Thursday, Foster confirmed.
“I think he wants to be closer to home,” Foster said. “I love Collin, he had a great season for us last season. We’d love to have him stay, but I completely understand. Being across the United States is difficult for some kids.”
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The remaining quarterbacks on UCLA’s spring roster are Ethan Garbers, Justyn Martin, Chase Griffin and Luke Duncan. Garbers has been receiving the majority of first-team repetitions at spring practices so far, although Justyn Martin pinpointed a few passes through tight windows Saturday.
Foster did not indicate if he would seek another quarterback in the transfer portal.
“(We have) nine days to see if we want to address that,” Foster said. “But I’m excited about the room, it’s a deep QB room. It gives other guys some reps and I’m excited to see if they’re ready to play.”
