Ken Norton Jr. and other new UCLA coaches make strong impression with players

Two weeks into spring soccer follow at UCLA, one voice has carried louder than some other at Spaulding Area, that of inside linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. His is one in all a number of recent faces — and positively probably the most recognizable — on this season’s defensive workers, complementing new defensive coordinator Invoice McGovern and fellow additions Chad Kauha’aha’a (line of defense) and Ikaika Malloe (outdoors linebackers).

Norton, a three-time Tremendous Bowl champion who performed for the Bruins in 1984-87 underneath Terry Donahue, implores his gamers throughout drills to “Go! Go! Go!” and your complete defensive unit is feeding off his power.

“I really feel good bodily, I’m just about healed, making an attempt to get my legs again underneath me and get higher day-to-day,” mentioned defensive lineman Martin Andrus Jr., who endured a protracted and intense rehab after struggling ACL accidents to each knees that prompted him to sit down out 26 video games however was a staff captain for the Bruins’ rivalry recreation in opposition to USC in November. “I’ve missed the final two or three spring balls, so it’s good to be again and get in soccer form. [Duke transfer] Gary Smith Jr. has been strong simply within the couple of weeks he’s been right here — he’s selecting up the protection actual quick and so are the remainder of us.”

Based on Andrus, the brand new workers is letting gamers know what is predicted of them: “They’re simply laying a basis proper now and the massive factor our new DC is preaching is takeaways, in order that’ll be a giant a part of our recreation within the fall.”

Fellow redshirt senior sort out Odua Isabor misses seeing Tyler Manoa line up on his aspect of the ball. Manoa, a four-year defensive lineman, has been moved to proper sort out.

“We’ve got sensible, NFL coaches and I positively felt a business-like mentality once they received right here, like now we have a job to do and let’s go to work,” Isabor mentioned. “Everyone seems to be youthful than me — it’s simply me and Martin in that room because the older guys, however it’s enjoyable. I haven’t gotten an opportunity to bodily go up in opposition to Tyler but, however I positively felt him gone at present. He’s taking issues in stride, he’s very sensible and switching to offense is an effective alternative for him.”

Two newcomers who’ve made an impression since arriving March 28 are twins: edge rushers Gabriel and Grayson Murphy. The redshirt junior transfers from North Texas mixed for 26.5 tackles and 15.5 sacks final fall and not less than one in all them may earn a beginning spot.

Redshirt senior defensive again Kenny Churchwell III is wanting ahead to the problem of changing security Quentin Lake, who participated within the NFL scouting mix Scouting Mix in Indianapolis on March 6.

“These are huge sneakers to fill, however I’m prepared for this chance. … I deliver power, love and 100% effort,“ Churchwell mentioned. “There are solely 11 guys on the sector and I attempt to be the very best. I’m able to go.”

McGovern, who has coached within the NFL for the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, has made a powerful first impression with veterans comparable to fifth-year robust security Stephan Blaylock: “I like him so much and it looks like he likes us too. He’s all the time speaking to us individually and even as a gaggle. He all the time encourages us to talk up for those who see issues on the market that I don’t see.”

On Thursday, senior linebacker Caleb Johnson introduced on Twitter he was coming into the switch portal, leaving the Bruins with two returning defensive starters, Blaylock and linebacker Bo Calvert.

“It’s slightly shock when somebody enters the portal,” Blaylock mentioned. “When you construct a bond you wish to hold the household collectively, however issues occur, individuals depart and separate and on the finish of the day he’s nonetheless going to be our brother.”

Cornerback Devin Kirkwood, a real sophomore, echoes Blaylock’s opinion of McGovern, who’s taking up for Jerry Azzinaro, UCLA’s defensive coordinator underneath coach Chip Kelly since 2017.

“I really like him,” Kirkwood mentioned after follow Saturday morning. “I speak to him every single day, he comes as much as me and we crack jokes on a regular basis and he helps me see the sport in a number of other ways than I usually do. He helps me perceive why I ought to to press this manner or why I shouldn’t. He teaches me to neglect and hold enjoying onerous. Generally I’m going to get a ball caught on me, however I wish to win greater than I lose.”

Although UCLA’s rush protection was stingy in 2021 (giving up 124.3 yards per recreation, second fewest within the Pac-12 behind Utah), the Bruins gave up 260.2 yards per recreation by means of the air — probably the most within the convention.

Embracing the management position is Mo Osling III, who has alternated between security and cornerback throughout his profession in Westwood, extended by COVID-19, and he promised his sixth season can be his final: “I by no means considered leaving this system. I grew up right here in L.A., it’s my hometown and I couldn’t depart my household. I’ve a number of religion within the youthful guys too. They’re in good fingers.”

Wyoming cornerback Azizi Hearn transferred to UCLA in mid-January and already the fifth-year participant from Oceanside Excessive, who started his faculty profession at Arizona, is well-respected by his teammates: “He and I are two completely different individuals, however I really like him — he’s like a giant brother to me,” Kirkwood mentioned of Hearn. “At any time when I’m exhausted he all the time comes over to investigate cross-check me and ensure I’m straight.”