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The UCLA football team was already losing talent and experience at the linebacker position as Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho ended their final seasons of college football, but Carson Schwesinger’s decision to declare for the NFL draft is the catalyst for a near-complete rebuild.
There is talent in stock though, and it’ll be led by a familiar face: associate head coach and inside linebackers coach Scott White.
A defensive analyst for the Bruins last season, White was with the program from 2011-2014, serving as quality control for the defense and special teams as well as a linebackers and special teams coach.
“Coach White’s track record speaks for itself,” head coach DeShaun Foster said in a statement. “Our program produces game changers at the linebacker position and he has helped develop some of the best. His contagious energy and teaching style make him perfect for this job.”
Transfers are still coming and going even now that it’s halfway through January, but there is a fairly clear picture of how the linebacking group will look for spring practices, which begin in April.
Here’s a full breakdown of UCLA’s inside linebacker room entering spring practice, the fifth in a six-part series examining the post-portal outlook for every part of the roster.
Returning: Donavyn Pellot, R-Fr.; Jalen Woods, R-So.; Ty Lee, R-Fr.; Mone Malafu, R-Fr.; Larry Edwards III, R-Fr.; Wyatt Mosier, R-Fr.; Isaiah Patterson, Fr.; Jacob Reis, Fr.
Arriving: Isaiah Chisom (transfer, Oregon State), Weston Port (three-star 2025 signee)
Departing: Ale Kaho (exhausted eligibility), Kain Medrano (exhausted eligibility), JonJon Vaughns (exhausted eligibility), Joseph Vaughn (exhausted eligibility), Carson Schwesinger (NFL draft)
How quickly can Chisom make an impact?
Chisom announced that he is transferring from Oregon State to UCLA on Christmas Eve, marking a return to Southern California for the freshman who prepped at Chaminade. Chisom, who is 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, didn’t get into a game as a Beaver but showed potential as a recruit. He logged 166 tackles (106 solo) in his senior year of high school.
Woods played in all 12 games last season and collected 22 tackles. Pellot missed the 2024 season due to an ACL tear suffered during spring practices. If he’s recovered and ready to practice by this spring, he or Woods paired with Chisom could be dynamic.
Can the defense repeat its synergy?
Part of why the linebackers were so productive last season was because of the strong defensive line in front of them. Players like Jay Toia had hefty blocking assignments, freeing up the linebackers to fly around and make tackles.
The defensive scheme will likely be similar with Ikaika Malloe returning as defensive coordinator. If installs go well and players are able to digest the playbook quickly, the defense should again be formidable.
UCLA has developed a strong linebacker culture, which is part of why the position group has been so productive. Medrano and Schwesinger set the standard and supported upcoming talent to perpetuate a group mentality. Medrano is a former receiver and Schwesinger was a former walk-on. Linebacker Isaiah Patterson had even won the Nick Pasquale “Pac” Award, which honors scout team excellence.
If there’s a group that can adapt and bounce back in a big way and rebuild this season, it’s likely the linebackers.
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