UCLA has All-Pac-12 and conference leader in tackles, Eric Kendricks returning for his senior season and are set at one of the middle linebacker spots. However, the Bruins are far from set at the other middle linebacker spot. There are two real contenders to get the starting gig and it will be a real tough battle in training camp to see who comes out on top. The two contenders are incoming true freshman Zach Whitley and sophomore Issako Savaaiinaea.
Let’s break down the two and predict who wins the starting job.
UCLA Inside Linebacker: Training Camp Competition
True Freshman Zach Whitley (6’1” 218 pounds)
Zach Whitley is an incoming freshman from Houston, Texas who has a very good shot at winning the starting job at the middle linebacker position. He is very aggressive, moves really well from a lateral standpoint and covers a lot of ground on the field. Whitley also has all of the measureables to play MLB. He reportedly had workout numbers that matched what Myles Jack had during his January workouts and coaches are very impressed with what he has done at practices. Whitley had the luxury of working with strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi all spring and had some extra time to learn defensive coordinators Jeff Ulbrich’s playbook. Zach Whitley has as good a shot as anyone to start for the Bruins as a true freshman in 2014.
Sophomore Isaako Savaaiinaea (6’2” 232 pounds)
Isaako Savaiinaea has the advantage of playing a full year in Jeff Ulbrich’s system and gained some valuable experience. He was credited with 25 tackles last season after seeing action in all 13 games and starting one of them. Savaaiinaea did not look great when he was forced to play extended minutes, however, and if he wants to get the starting spot he will have to play with some more consistency than he did in 2013 as a true freshman.
Personally, I think that Zach Whitley is the leader in the clubhouse heading into training camp. He is a physical freak and has the extra luxury of enrolling into UCLA early and learning the whole playbook. However, I would not be surprised if Isaako Savaaiinaea is the starter for the first few games either. Sometimes experience is everything and it is very hard for a true freshman to be ready to start the first game of the season. A lot depends on how well Whitley picks up the playbook and performs during training camp, but either way Bruin fans should be happy with the depth at the MLB position.
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Main Photo: ALEX GALLARDO, AP
