Bruins will have work to do after loss of key players

Newly hired defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe played a significant role in bringing edge rushers Laiatu Latu and Gabriel and Grayson Murphy to Westwood, helping make the defensive line a strength for UCLA over the past two seasons.

Latu had 13 sacks for UCLA in 2023, which ranked third on the program's all-time list for a single season, tying him with Carnell Lake (1987). Latu also recorded 49 total tackles (21 ½ TFL), two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 12 games played.

Latu has been projected as a top-10 selection in the upcoming NFL draft. The edge rusher won the Lombardi Award, college football's most outstanding lineman, and the Ted Hendricks Award, the top defensive end, for his performance throughout the 2023 season. He was also voted as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

The Murphy twins decided to forgo their remaining eligibility and also declared for the draft.

The Bruins finished as a top-10 defense this season, allowing 301.5 yards per game. The defensive line also helped produce a solid rush defense that ranked second in the country after allowing just 80.5 yards per game.

Carl Jones Jr. is also expected to be finished with the program after playing several defensive positions during his five years in Westwood but really settled in as an outside linebacker in his later years. He started four of the 13 games

Online: UCLA adds QB coach Billy Fessler and OL/DL coach Tony Washington Jr. OCREGISTER.COM/SPORTS

he played this season and finished with 39 tackles (5.5 TFL), two sacks and a fumble recovery.

There's still some level of uncertainty on how the Bruins will manage to make up the same level of production.

The position group will be tested going forward after it loses most of its experienced players but defensive lineman Jay Toia is expected to return. Toia will bring a level of consistency to the Bruins and will continue to serve as an anchor for the defense. He's seen significant playing time since he arrived in 2021. He finished with 28 tackles (four TFL), one sack and forced a fumble in 12 games played in 2023.

The Bruins announced the hiring of Tony Washington Jr. as the new defensive line/outside linebackers coach on Friday.

Here's a full breakdown of UCLA's offensive line entering spring ball, the fourth in a six-part series by the Southern California News Group examining the post-portal outlook for every part of the roster.

Murphy (NFL draft), R-Sr. DL Carl Jones Jr. (fifth-year player), R-Sr. Jake Heimlicher (sixth-year player)

WHY DIDN'T THE BRUINS SIGN ANY HIGH SCHOOL DEFENSIVE LINEMAN IN THE 2024 RECRUITING CLASS? >>

at Navy, which led to his decision to enter the transfer portal.