A year ago, UCLA boasted talent and youth on the defensive line. Then-freshmen end Eddie Vanderdoes and tackle Kenny Clark each appeared in all 13 games, and were starters by the end of the year. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore defensive tackle Eli Ankou (middle) participates in a drill as defensive line coach Angus McClure (behind) looks on. Ankou has seen reps with both the first and second-team defensive units this fall, after missing a majority of last season with a knee injury. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)

SAN BERNARDINO — Priest Willis has had his fair share of detractors during his short time at UCLA, but the sophomore cornerback’s biggest supporter is the only one that matters. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore cornerback Priest Willis has added things to his game that may help him live up to his five-star recruit billing. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)

SAN BERNARDINO — Wide receiver Devin Lucien suffered a head injury late in Tuesday’s practice, and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Lucien was carted off into the ambulance with a neck brace to immobilize the area. Read more...

Photo: Coach Jim Mora addresses wide receiver Devin Lucien’s injury with the media after Tuesday’s practice. Lucien, a redshirt junior, suffered a head injury during practice and had to be taken to the hospital. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)

SAN BERNARDINO — A year ago, they were one of the most lauded position groups in the nation. With a quartet comprised of two now-NFL players in Anthony Barr and Jordan Zumwalt, and two possible soon-to-be NFLers in sophomore Myles Jack and redshirt senior Eric Kendricks, the UCLA linebacking corps served as a stabilizing force for the Bruins’ defense, if not the most talented group on the team. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore Jayon Brown has reshaped his body in order to compete for the second starting inside linebacker spot. Brown, who worked at safety early on last season, has increased his playing weight from 200 to 230 pounds. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — When UCLA finally took the practice field at Cal State San Bernardino in full pads for the first time Friday afternoon, a new electricity was in the air. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore safety Tahaan Goodman is nicknamed “the serpent” by his teammates for his strong tackles and intensity on defense. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)