Defense has kept UCLA football competitive in games for the last two seasons, getting the ball back in the hands of the offense against both Pac-12 and Big Ten Conference opponents.

Ikaika Malloe will return at defensive coordinator but a new coach will oversee the defensive line. Jethro Franklin will take the helm with 33 years of coaching experience under his belt.

“Coach Franklin not only knows what it takes to reach the next level, but perform there,” said Foster. “He has more than 30 years of defensive-line knowledge and an enthusiasm for his craft that I know our players will embrace.”

Franklin most recently coached at Fresno State for two seasons and also coached in the NFL from 2015-19 with stops at Seattle and Oakland. Earlier in his coaching career, he was an assistant at USC in the 2005 and 2008 seasons.

The defensive line and edge position are both losing key pieces in Jay Toia and Oluwafemi Oladejo but a fresh coach, incoming transfers and early enrollee freshmen can start shaping the future of the Bruins’ defense.

Here’s a full breakdown of UCLA’s defensive line room entering spring practice, continuing a six-part series examining a post-portal outlook for every part of the roster.

Defensive tackle/end

Returning: Jordan Abarca, Fr.; A.J. Fuimaono, R-Fr.; Gary Smith III, R-Sr.; Tannen Vagle, R-Sr.; Grant Buckey, R-Fr.; Michael Sullivan, R-Jr.; Jacob Busic, R-Jr.; Keanu Williams, R-Jr.

Arriving: Ashton Sanders (transfer, Oklahoma), Tyler Partlow (three-star 2025 signee)

Departing: Joquarri Price (exhausted eligibility), Siale Taupaki (exhausted eligibility), Jay Toia (NFL Draft), Cherif Seye (exhausted eligibility), Sitiveni Havili Kaufusi (exhausted eligibility), Luke Schuermann (exhausted eligibility)

Edge rusher/outside LB

Returning: Devin Aupiu, R-Jr.

Arriving: Nico Davillier (transfer, Arkansas), Ka’eo Akana (transfer, Utah), Cole Cogshell (four-star 2025 signee), Jewels Walls (three-star 2025 signee), Lucien Holland (three-star 2025 signee), Scott Taylor (three-star 2025 signee)

Departing: Collins Acheampong (transfer, Bowling Green), Drew Tauzama (exhausted eligibility); Oluwafemi Oladejo (NFL Draft)

Top questions

Who will be the next big threat at edge?

The Bruins have had two exceptional edge rushers the last two seasons in Laiatu Latu and Oluwafemi Oladejo. The former is playing in the NFL and the latter has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. There’s a big hole to fill at the position and the coaching staff could look to one of the returners or transition a player from another position — as was done with Oladejo, who previously played linebacker. Nico Davillier, a transfer, could be the next big threat after finishing his junior season at Arkansas with 23 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

How will the defensive line revamp?

Toia, who declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, was capable of blocking multiple players at a time and it will take a group effort to replace him. Other defensive linemen have exhausted their eligibility as well, leaving opportunities for players like Jacob Busic and Keanu Williams. Busic worked his way into the starting lineup five times in the 2024 season and Williams started in the first two games before missing the rest of the season due to injury.

The group X-factor

Young talent will pay off down the road. UCLA has some short-term solutions across the d-line, but incoming freshmen like four-star edge and early enrollee Cole Cogshell could play a big role immediately. “We have a lot of early enrollees, so guys are going to be here for spring and that’s huge for them,” Foster said. “Potentially a lot of guys should get the opportunity to play. It just depends on how quick they pick up the playbook and how their body is physically.”