Jaelan Phillips
Position: Defensive end
High school: Redlands East Valley
Ht./Wt.: 6-6/250
Rivals.com ranking: Five stars, 2 (weakside defensive end), 6 (national)
Why he will help: UCLA must replace Takkarist McKinley (10 sacks, 18 TFLs) and Phillips is tailor made for the role. Among many of the top recruits in the country at the U.S. Army All-American game, Phillips shone the brightest, collecting a game-high five tackles after being hailed as “the most impressive prospect of the week” by announcers.
Darnay Holmes
Position: Defensive back
High school: Calabasas
Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 190
Rivals.com ranking: Five stars, 4 (cornerback), 27 (national)
Why he will help: The Bruins graduated lockdown cornerback Fabian Moreau, his immediate backup Marcus Rios and the emergency fill-in Randall Goforth. They need reinforcements to replenish their strong secondary, which was second in the Pac-12 in pass defense efficiency, and Holmes is the gem of a strong defensive back group.
Greg Rogers
Position: Defensive tackle
High school: Arbor View (Nevada)
Ht./Wt.: 6-4/305
Rivals.com ranking: Four stars, 11 (defensive tackle), 180 (national)
Why he will help: Rogers fills a big position of need for the Bruins as they’ve lost both of their starting interior defensive linemen. He might immediately work himself into the second unit, similar to the way Boss Tagaloa did last season.
Elijah Gates
Position: Defensive back
High school: Buena Park
Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 170
Rivals.com ranking: Four stars, 21 (cornerback), 233 (national)
Why he will help: Gates may play second fiddle to the five-star Holmes in this class, but the cornerback from Buena Park is a talented player who should be able to contribute in the secondary and on special teams. UCLA is in need of a new kick returner and Gates could challenge for the spot there.
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen
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