UCLA Bruins Football: End of Year Defensive Grades for 2024

The UCLA Bruins are coming off a 2024 season where they went 5-7 in their first year in the Big Ten.

Much like their offense, the Blue and Gold’s defense was inconsistent. The pass defense was as good as Swiss cheese, but the rush stoppage was world-class. The Bruins conceded nearly 250 passing yards per game to their 2024 opponents — second-worst in the Big Ten. Additionally, the club was in the bottom third in opponent points per game (25.3). Despite a horrid coverage scheme, UCLA was a top-six unit in the nation in stopping the run, allowing just 96.2 rushing yards per game.

But, how did the Bruins’ defensive starters individually grade in 2024?

UCLA Bruins Defensive Grades

Defensive Backs: B

K.J. Wallace (CB): A-

The senior transfer was arguably the Bruins best secondary player. Wallace led the team in passes defended and was tied for third in the Big Ten (22nd across all conferences) with 10. The Atlanta native also had a career-high in total tackles with 49. Despite not being known for his ball-hawking skills, Wallace is a premier athlete and plays bigger than his 5-foot-11-inch frame.

2024 stats: 12 games played, 38 solo tackles, 11 assists, 49 total tackles, 10 passes defended, one sack

Kaylin Moore (CB): B

Similar to his transfer counterpart Wallace, the former Buffalo and Bear was a stud against opposing wide receivers with the Bruins. Moore tallied career-highs across the board with 37 total tackles and nine passes defended. The LA local also landed his first interception and forced fumble in his four-year collegiate career. Moore’s play landed him with an All-Big Ten Defense Honorable Mention.

2024 stats: 12 games played, 28 solo tackles, nine assists, 37 total tackles, nine passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble

Devin Kirkwood (CB): C-

Homegrown talent Devin Kirkwood might not have stood out as much as his fellow defensive backs, but the 6-foot-3-inch had a respectable senior campaign. Kirkwood’s abilities go beyond the stat sheet, and his defensive instincts are a prime example. The 22-year-old corner thrived in zone, and his lengthy build played well in coverage down the field, but he also had moments of head-scratching plays.

2024 stats: 11 games played, 14 solo tackles, 10 assists, 24 total tackles, four passes defended, one interception, 0.5 sack

Bryan Addison (S): B

Bryan Addison could be considered the heart and soul of the Bruins defense, as the senior safety left traces all over the field. The former Oregon Duck was UCLA’s fifth-leading tackler, third-best pass defender and was tied for first in interceptions. Addison’s ability to cover down the field and also fill the box makes him an all-around threat on the field, not to mention his 6-foot-5 body gives him a notable height advantage over most receivers.

2024 stats: 12 games played, 31 solo tackles, 12 assists, 43 total tackles, five passes defended, two interceptions

Ramon Henderson (S): B-

Ramon Henderson started the 2024 season strong and remained consistent throughout the year for the UCLA Bruins. The Norte Dame transfer was a compatible piece alongside Addison in the secondary, holding down the last line of defense. Henderson filled the stat sheet and was an enforcer around the line of scrimmage as well as in coverage.

2024 stats: 12 games played, 21 solo tackles, 12 assists, 33 total tackles, four passes defended, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble

Linebackers: A-

Carson Schwesinger: A+

Carson Schwesinger was undoubtedly the best defender for the Bruins in 2024. The standout junior was third in the nation in total tackles (first in the Big Ten) and was ranked fifth in sacks among linebackers in his respective conference.

Schwesinger is an NFL-caliber backer and his all-around ability — stuffing the run, falling back into coverage and rushing the passer — was enough to grant him All-Big Ten First Team honors. The former walk-on displayed an incredible motor on the field with his sideline-to-sideline ability and dominant nature in the box. There are few better than Schwesinger at the linebacker position.

2024 stats: 12 games played, 90 solo tackles, 46 assists, 136 total tackles, four sacks, three passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble

Kain Medrano: A

Kain Medrano had himself an elite senior season but was heavily overshadowed by Schwesinger’s play. Nonetheless, the Colorado native was the second-leading tackler for the Bruins and led UCLA in turnovers with five. The backer had himself a season worthy of All-Big Ten Third Team honors and was the perfect piece alongside Schwesinger to form one of the most feared linebacker tandems in the nation. Though his name might not be thrown in conversations as often, his capabilities were shown on full display this last season.

2024 stats: 12 games played, 50 solo tackles, 22 assists, 72 total tackles, four passes defended, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, 1.5 sacks

Oluwafemi Oladejo: C+

In a stacked linebacker room, Olu Oladejo still produced at a high level. He rounded out the top three in tackles for UCLA and his 4.5 sacks were a team-best and good enough to rank him fifth among linebackers in the Big Ten. Though he may not thrive in coverage, Oladejo has made a college career off of his pure pass-rushing ability and sheer tackling. The California product could also be argued as UCLA’s best run-stopper in 2024 as his power and physicality take over at the line of scrimmage.

2024 stats: 11 games played, 30 solo tackles, 27 assists, 57 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes defended

Defensive Line: D-

The defensive line was the Bruins most disappointing play of the entire season in terms of individual production. There were no standout players on the line and injuries played a major role in that. The biggest name out of the defensive line was Jay Toia who was a honorable mention in the All-Big Ten teams. Additionally, Toia was the leading tackler on the d-line and No defensive line player for UCLA reached two sacks as 1.5 was the highest amount in 2024. Though individual performances this past season were nothing to applaud, the Blue and Gold’s unit as a whole contributed significantly in games defending the run.