WATCH: UCLA DC Ikaika Malloe addresses depth of defense

COSTA MESA, Calif. — UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe spoke with reporters for the first time in training camp on Wednesday. Malloe is now going into his second season leading the Bruins’ defense.

Malloe is having to work in many new pieces on his side of the ball like so many coaches around the country. He has the benefit, however, of bringing back some players who have some familiarity with the scheme. That includes defensive tackles Keanu Williams and Gary Smith III, who continues to gain praise from the team.

Add to that new pieces in the mix such as Anthony Jones and Kechaun Bennett, and Malloe likes the direction of where his defense is headed through the first week of training camp.

“It’s coming,” Malloe said Wednesday before practice. “We’re carrying over from spring ball, and continuing to develop some of the transfer portal. Actually, more the unity of. We understand the defense from spring ball, and now it’s really just putting it together.

“Where the guy to the right and the left of you are all kind of meshing together to make the scheme work.”

Malloe’s linebacker group will have plenty of attention on it this season. And, there are some intriguing options for the Bruins to utilize at the spots. JonJon Vaughns figures to be a cornerstone of the group. However, Malloe has been pleased with others at the position.

He named JuJu Walls, Isaiah Chisom and Donavyn Pellot as early standouts in camp. Pellot is someone who has started to push as a potential contributor after not playing in 2024.

“Donnie has really made a case for himself,” Malloe said. “Somehow, some way he needs to get on that field. So, I gotta do a better job in terms of just personnel and things like that.”

Full Ikaika Malloe training camp media session

Video recorded by BruinBlitz staff writer Tracy McDannald.