UCLA’s linebacker unit provides needed experience on defense

LOS ANGELES — UCLA’s linebacker room will have an opportunity to try and restore its claim as “LBU” (linebacker university) with the experience and depth it will have at the second level of the defense this season.

The Bruins return experienced linebackers Kain Medrano, Oluwafemi Oladejo and Ale Kaho. JonJon Vaughns and Carson Schwesinger also remain on the roster, providing additional depth for the unit.

“We are going to have a deep group this year and all of our linebackers could realistically play,” Medrano said. “It’s going to be a fun year with the linebacker group. We have a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience.”

The position room is led by coach Scott White and former UCLA linebacker Kenny Young.

White returned to UCLA this offseason as a defensive analyst on coach DeShaun Foster’s staff.

Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe holds the title as inside linebackers coach but White could serve as the informal position coach this season. Analysts are allowed to provide instructions to athletes on the field during both games and practice after the NCAA lifted restrictions on the rule in late June.

White had previously spent several years working at UCLA, earning a promotion from defensive quality control coach to linebackers and special teams coach in 2015.

“He was here when UCLA was LBU,” Medrano said of White. “ … I’m excited about being able to have learned from Coach (Ken) Norton and now Coach Scottie, Coach Malloe and just everyone else we have in our room.”

Medrano mentioned that having Young back on campus as a graduate assistant helps add veteran and NFL knowledge to the group.

Young was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2018 draft out of UCLA. He also played for the Rams.

Alumni such as Eric Kendricks (2010-14), Myles Jack (2013-15) and Young (2014-17) helped provide reasoning for UCLA to give itself the moniker “LBU” while White was previously on staff.

In 2014, Kendricks won the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top college linebacker.

AWAY FROM HOME

Foster doesn’t want his players to fall into old habits and normal routines as the Bruins started training camp on Wednesday.

The players won’t be staying in their dorm rooms close to campus for the early part of training camp and instead will be staying at a hotel in Woodland Hills. The team arrived at the hotel on Tuesday.

“I just wanted to do that to build some camaraderie and find ways for them to eat together and stay together,” Foster said. “I didn’t want them in familiar territory.”

“It’s gonna be different, but I think it’s gonna be fun,” Medrano said. “It’s going give everybody on the team a chance to kind of get together and get to know each other. We have some transfer guys who have been here for the summer and some freshmen that I haven’t got to know on a personal level yet.”

Foster leaned on some of his experience as a player and what he experienced early on during his coaching career while working for former Bruins coach Jim Mora with the idea that it would prevent isolation and have them “come together and become a team and break out and let the world know.”

Mora used to hold training camp and have the team stay in San Bernardino prior to having the Wasserman Football Center on campus.

Offensive lineman Josh Carlin embraced the idea of staying in the Valley after being from that part of the county and wanting to visit some food spots he’s familiar with.

“The only unfortunate part is there’s not a lot of time because I love the food in the Valley, so I think I’m just going to have to stick to the food that they give us,” Carlin said. “Maybe on the off day, I’ll find a little Mexican joint somewhere around the Valley because Mexican food in the Valley’s pretty good.

EMBRACING THE MOMENT

Foster has not shied away from his Big Ten Media Day introductory press conference moment, where he cut his opening statement short, and instead embraced it.

The moment featured a notable pause on the podium before stumbling over his words and saying UCLA is in LA.

“We’re in LA” was displayed in big white lettering alongside a football helmet that served as a pinpoint marker over a blue outline of California.

“‘Oh this thing?’ It was just a shirt,” Foster said jokingly. “I just wanted to make sure everyone knew where LA was at. Where UCLA is, that’s basically it.”

The Bruins remain unwavering in their support of Foster.

“It happens,” Medrano said. “It happens to me. You just kind of got to bounce back and go from there, and we support our coach 110 percent. What happens on the football field is what we’re worried about.”