Burning Questions: Defense

Will UCLA find a reliable No. 2 defensive tackle?
David Carter has a long, long way to go to even approach Brian Price's numbers and mere presence - people forget how often Price was double- and triple-teamed. But he is not the main concern. He was serviceable in his time last season, about what was expected of him, if not more, but I've heard he's looked great in the offseason and could make a leap this year. I really don't expect even half of Price's numbers, but if Carter even gets there, UCLA will be pleased. That's how good Price was.
The other defensive tackle...now that's another story.
Justin Edison is listed at the No. 1 spot, but Nate Chandler will challenge hard for playing time. Chandler is a beast, and he's becoming well-acclimated with the defensive tackle position, after switching over from offense. Edison, a converted end, is solid in the pass rush (he had 14 sacks as a high school senior), but needs to show more in run defense.
All I've heard is good things about freshmen Cassius Marsh and Seali'i Epenesa, and the coaching staff has raved about both. Marsh could contribute very early, and I've heard he's done good things in the weight room.
Crystal Ball: Chandler will emerge as a reliable option, with Marsh pushing for time, but no one will forget Brian Price.

Will Datone Jones make "The Leap?"Jones was solid but unspectacular in his first season as a full-time starting defensive end, registering 30 tackles, four sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He was particularly stout in the running game, and his 11 TFL are impressive, but going back to his high school days, he's never been a pass-rushing specialist.
With Price gone, and his disruptive abilities, Jones will need to become an all-conference selection if UCLA hopes to establish a pass rush.
Keenan Graham and Iuta Tepa have waged a very close battle for the other defensive end, and both are solid in the pass rush, but Jones will be the primary end, and receive more attention.
Crystal Ball: Jones becomes one of the best run-stopping defensive ends in the country, but his sack numbers don't rocket into double-digits; Graham explodes onto the scene and Tepa becomes a reliable option.

Will Steve Sloan and Sean Westgate emerge as solid starters beside Akeem Ayers?
To be sure, Ayers will no doubt compete for Pac-10 defensive player of the year honors. He, not Rahim Moore, has the most to gain this season with Price gone. Moore really can't top his remarkable season last year - even six or seven interceptions would be a "let-down" and that's a joke - but Ayers can easily top his stats from last year, and will.
The more important concern is finding Ayers some running mates.
Sloan started eight games at middle linebacker as a redshirt freshman in 2008 but only played sparingly behind Reggie Carter last season, making only three tackles. He was embroiled in a too-close-to-call fight with Patrick Larimore for the starting role, and both displayed their chief talents during spring ball: Sloan's leadership and experience vs. Larimore's tenacity and aggressiveness.
On the other outside linebacker spot (Will) opposite Ayers, Westgate and converted safety Glenn Love have been just about neck-and-neck throughout the offseason. Westgate has a nose for the ball but is undersized, while Love is a bit timid, but has ideal size. Westgate is a special teams ace, and is a player favorite, but Love's size might be too much to pass up.
Crystal Ball: Sloan wins the middle linebacker spot out of camp, but Larimore pushes very, very hard for playing time and overtakes him by mid-season, while Love solidifies himself as starter.

Will Sheldon Price and Aaron Hester be among the better cornerback duos in the Pac-10?
Replacing Alterraun Verner is not an easy chore, particularly in the leadership department.
He was very much a part of the defensive scheme, and he was a valuable voice in the cornerback position, almost a coach on the field.
Price credits Verner for helping through what was a rocky freshman season, and Price showed marked improvement toward the end of the season. After an offseason of lifting, Price has put on roughly 15 pounds, and he looked very physical in the 7-on-7 I attended.
Hester, meanwhile, has a good balance of speed and physicality, and he was on his way to a nice start last year before the fluke leg injury. Facing stiff competition from walk-on Andrew Abbott and Courtney Viney, Hester emerged from spring camp with a solid grip on the opposite cornerback position. Abbott and Viney, however, provide valuable nickel and dime package help, though.
Crystal Ball: Price and Hester will be much improved from last season, but won't be considered for all-conference picks until at least 2011.

Will one of the highly touted freshmen become a starter?
UCLA's 2010 recruiting class was one of the best defensive groups in the country, with seven four/five-star recruits in the top-20 of their position (not including Josh Shirley).
Out of the group - Marsh, S Dietrich Riley, CB Anthony Jefferson, CB Tevin McDonald, OLB Aramide Olaniyan, MLB Jordan Zumwalt and DE Owamagbe Odhigizuwa - UCLA fans hope one will emerge as an instant starter, a true game-changer on defense.
Because of depth issues, Marsh has the easiest path toward a starting spot, but don't count out Odhigizuwa as a quick contributor. Riley and Olaniyan are physical specimens, though, and Riley is much, much bigger than expected.
Crystal Ball: Despite high rankings, no UCLA defensive freshmen ends up starting, but Marsh and Riley make early impacts.

Last one: Will Chuck Bullough become more aggressive in the blitz scheme?
Really, the same criticism of the UCLA offense was leveled on the defense last year.
UCLA was not aggressive enough in its blitz packages and teams capitalized with big plays at opportune times. Chuck Bullough, in his first year as defensive coordinator, at times struggled with adjustments, and teams feasted.
Part of that had to do with a slow linebackers and a defensive line that, outside of Price, had trouble getting to the quarterback. Package that with a defensive backfield featuring two new starters, and Bullough simply did not have the luxury of sending the hounds. His rotation of Ayers from linebacker to defensive end was brilliant, though, and the results were very favorable.
Crystal Ball: With six new starters on defense, Bullough won't exactly turn into Rex Ryan, but expect a more aggressive defense.