LOS ANGELES — Bob Chesney’s goal for the early part of the UCLA football team’s fall training camp is simple.
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“Test everything in fire,” the first-year Bruins head coach says.
That way, when the season nears and specific prep for the Sept. 5 game against Cal begins, nothing will catch the Bruins off guard.
So on Friday, at UCLA’s second fall practice, the Bruins shifted around personnel and paired various offensive groupings.
James Madison transfer DJ Barksdale, who primarily played slot cornerback for the last two seasons, lined up on the outside during the media viewing period. Cole Martin, who primarily played safety for UCLA last season, slid down to defend the slot, while Malik Hartford played behind him.
“Coach Chesney is a great coach, and he has us move around and do things, and everything’s for a certain reason,” defensive back Rodrick Pleasant said Friday. “The player flexibility, the guys are interchangeable, and we can do things. That’s what’s going to make us special in the back end.”
Pleasant, who was limited to individual drills during spring practices while recovering from a shoulder injury, emphasized that Chesney’s defensive scheme is “aggressive.” UCLA’s defensive back room is deep, and it’s crucial that each player understands how to attack from each position on the back end.
A holdover from the DeShaun Foster era, Pleasant built his understanding of Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler’s defense by “coaching” his teammates during spring practice, he said.
“If you can coach it, you can play it,” he said Friday.
Similar to Pleasant, Hartford, an Ohio State transfer, was recovering from a shoulder injury throughout spring practices. Chesney was excited to have him out there this week.
“I’m impressed by the way he controls the field and the leadership he has; the knowledge that he has and the demand he puts on other people,” Chesney said Thursday. “He knows his stuff inside and out.”
DIFFERENT LOOKS
Continuing on the trial theme, the offense repped 12- and 11-personnel during the media viewing period.
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Tight ends Brayden Loftin and Josh Phifer lined up inside of wideouts Aiden Mizell and Mikey Matthews. Mizell broke free on a deep route down the seam but Iamaleava just overthrew him. On the following play, Iamleava and Phifer connected on an in-breaking route.
Iamaleava said he feels “great” about 12-personnel.
“Twelve-personnel gives a lot of problems as far as defense looks,” Iamaleava said Friday. “I think there’s a lot more potential that we can get out of the 12-personnel.”
The offense also repped 11-personnel, and Brian Rowe Jr. came in to line up on the outside.
The Bruins cycled through running backs Jaivian Thomas and Wayne Knight. Thomas took a carry up the middle during the 11-on-11 period and Knight drilled hand offs during individual position drills.
Wide receiver Landon Ellis didn’t play during the 11-on-11s open to the media, but he was out there on Thursday and was participating in individual positional drills on Friday.
LEADING THE WAY
Pleasant, who has observed Iamaleava’s growth over their year and change in Westwood, continues to be impressed with his quarterback’s leadership.
“He said, ‘he’s bringing people with him,’” Pleasant said. “That’s been the most impressive thing about it. He’s bringing guys along, making guys better day in and day out, and he’s holding dudes accountable.”
Through group chats, Iamaleava helped organize player-only practices throughout the summer. The coaching staff has praised his leadership, constantly. He holds the standard of competition, throwing lighthearted trash talk toward his defensive teammates at any chance he gets.
“My job this year is to lead,” Iamaleava said. “Lead a group of young men, and man, I’m just trying to get better, myself, at that every day. Elevating other leaders that are on our team to be more vocal out there. You know, we talk a lot of trash, and I think that gets them more riled up. So, yeah, it’s been fun.”
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