UCLA’s starting edge rushers have a lot of work to do before their team’s first game in the Big Ten Conference.

According to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, Jacob Busic and Devin Aupiu are currently the first-string rushers, but nothing is set in stone yet. Drew Tuazama and Grant Buckey will likely serve as backups.

During practice on Saturday, it was a substitute player who made one of the most spectacular plays of the day. Tuazama stormed into the backfield and forced substitute quarterback Justyn Martin into an incomplete pass.

UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo is rumored to be moving to a hybrid position where he would be responsible for attacking the quarterback. On Saturday, linebacker Kain Medrano took on that role.

UCLA’s defense has gone through several changes, including the departure of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. Although he was only with the Bruins for one season, he was the mastermind behind a defensive revival for the Blue and Gold.

Lynn’s defensive unit was ranked near the top of the Pac-12 and in the top 20 in the country overall. After he was poached from USC, the Bruins were essentially left stranded and had to start from scratch.

Kamari Ramsey and John Humphrey left Westwood to follow Lynn. Ramsey was considered the Blue-Gold’s best returning defensive player. The departure of the starting safety was a major setback for the strength of the unit.

The Bruins lost five of their best defensive ends, including Laiatu Latu, Gabriel and Grayson Murphy, Carl Jones and Jake Heimlicher.

Latu was drafted 15th overall in the first round by the Indianapolis Colts. He made his professional debut on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

“It was an incredible feeling,” Latu said, according to the team’s transcript. “Being out there and playing with the guys I was with the whole time in training camp. It was incredible.”

“Honestly, I had no expectations,” Latu said. “I just tried to go out there and rock like I do.”

Latu was named a First Team All-American in 2023 after recording team-high 13 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.

The Bruins also lost Darius Muasau at linebacker. Muasau led the team with 75 total tackles and four sacks.

UCLA also lost several defensive players through the transfer portal. Safety William Nimmo moved to San Diego State.

The Bruins face a tough battle on defense.