UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look in the secondary

UCLA’s secondary must regroup after several significant departures throughout the offseason.

The Bruins lost at least six defensive backs after running out of eligibility or entering the transfer portal.

Defensive back John Humphrey and safety Kamari Ramsey were among the most surprising departures for the Bruins, who decided to enter the transfer portal and follow former defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to USC in late December.

Humphrey came into his own and carved out a role as a starting cornerback in 2022, making eight starts that season. He started 11 of the 12 games he played in for the Bruins in 2023 and finished with 31 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a recovery.

Ramsey, a Sierra Canyon product, was the top recruit of UCLA’s 2022 recruiting class and had a breakout redshirt freshman season campaign. Ramsey started all 11 of the games he played in and brought a level of physicality to the third level of a top-20 defense, providing hope that he could be a key piece for the program going forward.

He had three games with at least six or more tackles (San Diego State, Utah and Oregon State)

Backup safety William Nimmo Jr. also entered the portal after the season concluded and decided to transfer to San Diego State.

Sixth-year safety Kenny Churchwell III and defensive back Alex Johnson have exhausted their eligibility and leave a void in the secondary for the upcoming season. Both joined the program in 2018 and were named All-Pac-12 Honorable Mentions for their effort throughout the 2023 season.

Johnson was a proven difference maker for the Bruins with his team-high five interceptions, and he scored against USC after recovering a fumble.

The Bruins also had a commitment from former San Diego State safety Marcus Ratcliff to help replace Churchwell and Ramsey, but the pledge was short-lived as he flipped his commitment after taking a visit to Texas A&M.

Cornerbacks Devin Kirkwood and Jaylin Davies add a level of stability on the outside with both returning for another season. Kirkwood started nine games in 2022 before suffering an arm injury that kept him out for the remainder of the season. He would remain healthy in 2023 but started just three of the 13 games he played in. Davies began his UCLA tenure as a reserve upon transferring from Oregon in 2022 before starting the last four games while Kirkwood was injured. He would make the most of the opportunity, earning 12 starts in 13 games played this past season.

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

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Returning: Jr. CB Devin Kirkwood, R-So. CB Jaylin Davies, R-Fr. CB Croix Stewart, Fr. DB Donavyn Pellot, R-Jr. DB Evan Thomas

Arriving: True Fr. CB Jamir Benjamin, True Fr. CB Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins, R-Jr. CB K.J. Wallace (transfer, Georgia Tech), Sr. S Bryan Addison (transfer, Oregon)

Departing: R-Sr. S Kenny Churchwell III (sixth-year player), R-Sr. DB Alex Johnson (sixth-year player),  R-Sr. DB Jordan Anderson (fifth-year player), R-Fr. S Kamari Ramsey (transfer, USC), Sr. DB John Humphrey (transfer, USC), Sr. S William Nimmo Jr. (transfer, San Diego State)

TOP QUESTION

Who will start at safety? Bryan Addison will compete for significant playing time after returning to Southern California after six years at Oregon. He has 51 career tackles and four interceptions. The Gardena Serra alumnus had previously signed with the Bruins coming out of high school before being released of his Letter of Intent in 2018 to enroll at Oregon.

THE GROUP X-FACTOR

K.J. Wallace. He’s played significant time at nickleback and could be tasked with replacing Johnson in the secondary. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound redshirt junior started 19 games at the position during his two seasons at Georgia Tech. He recorded 88 tackles (5.5 TFL), two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles during that period. He saw limited action as a reserve during the first three years of his career at Notre Dame.