UCLA Football: Multiple Bruins Land Among Top CB's Following Week 1 Win

The secondary played much better than expected...

UCLA's secondary was abysmal last year, ranking as one of the worst in the Pac-12. 

Heading into the start of the 2023 season, the fan base was a bit nervous about the season opener versus Coastal Carolina. Both of the team's starting safeties graduated from last year. The team is breaking in a new defensive coordinator (D'Anton Lynn) and a new cornerbacks coach (Kodi Whitfield). On top of it, the Bruins kicked off the season versus one of the best quarterbacks in the country, Grayson McCall.

Despite the huge test in front of them, the Bruins -- specifically three of them in the secondary -- rose to the occasion in an impressive way. 

Top-Graded @PFF CBs thru Week 1

88.9—Robinson, BYU (#1 nationally)
85.5—Tumblin, SDSU
84.8—Hunter, Colorado
81.9—Malone, SDSU
81.6—Robinson, Oregon St
79.4—Martin, New Mexico
78.6—Davies, UCLA
77.4—Humphrey, UCLA
77.1—Williams, UNLV
74.6—Smith-Wade, WSU
74.6—Lampkin, WSU

— SuperWest Sports (@SuperWestSports) September 6, 2023

According to Pro Football Focus, UCLA corners Jaylin Davies and John Humphrey were among the two best corners from this past weekend (according to the site's grading scale). Not to be outdone, freshman safety Kamari Ramsey also made the list: 

Top-Graded @PFF Safeties thru Week 1

90.1—J Hicks, WSU
86.7—T Woods, Colorado
83.8—K Ramsey, UCLA
79.8—T Johnson, Oregon
78.9—D Johnson, Ariz
76.8—I Larsen, Utah St
75.9—D Clark, Fresno St
74.6—K Oladapo, Ore St
74.2—H Blackburn, CSU
73.6—S Edwards, Stanford
73.3—C Bishop, Utah

— SuperWest Sports (@SuperWestSports) September 6, 2023

Heading into the game, McCall had an unreal career TD: INT ratio of 78:8. There were more than a few people expecting McCall to carve UCLA's secondary like a turkey on Thanksgiving. 

Instead, the defense bowed its proverbial neck and really played well all things considered. Along with Devin Kirkwood, Humphrey and Davies make up the top three corners on the roster. Kirkwood's play was up and down, thus opening the door for Humphrey to get more snaps. Both Davies and Humphrey came away with picks in this game. 

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 🧲 @jaylin_davies

Jaylin Davies had his first INT of the season & fourth of his career on Saturday! pic.twitter.com/DoCIu2FxeL

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) September 6, 2023

Ramsey was excellent, particularly as a young player. He was never out of position and didn't miss a single tackle. The Los Angeles native looks like a future pro assuming he stays healthy. 

These developments are huge for UCLA. McCall not only threw two interceptions but only finished with 271 yards through the air. Davies is the smaller, slower corner -- though he plays with a savvy, smart nature. Humphrey is your NFL prototype, possessing elite size and above-average athletic ability. 

If the secondary can be just 'decent' this year -- along with UCLA's objectively good front seven, this could end up being a legitimately solid defense. Having Whitfield and Lynn (a former DB himself) on the staff seemingly is already paying dividends.