"We're trying to promote a different standard," junior safety Churchwell asserted at spring practice Tuesday. And then he paused, trying to quantify a platitude his tone indicated was of the utmost importance. But, more broadly, that shift in standards starts under the umbrella of new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, who's been routinely praised by Bruin defenders this spring as he's attempted to integrate new concepts into UCLA's scheme. "That's been an emphasis this spring," Lynn said, "not giving up big plays and just trying to disguise our coverage the best we can." "Our defensive meetings as a unit, it really feels like it's an NFL room now, an NFL atmosphere, with coach Lynn," Johnson said.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 21, 2023 01:35 UTC