Redshirt junior linebacker Akeem Ayers, left, and fellow junior linebacker Sean Westgate both earned All Pac-10 honors.
Junior Sean Westgate, far left, and redshirt junior Steve Sloan, far right, have been key to the UCLA linebacker corps this season. Westgate has made strides after starting just one game last season, while Sloan has provided a boost as a capable backup.
It seems like every famous trio has a nickname. Three Musketeers, Three Blind Mice, The Big Three. Monikers have become almost a rite of passage for any talented triumvirate.
It may not be at that level quite yet, but the UCLA linebacking corps of Akeem Ayers, Sean Westgate and the recently injured Patrick Larimore has done its best to make a name for itself on the field. You know, just a few tight-knit starters (Three Amigos?), plus some capable backups in Jordan Zumwalt and Steve Sloan (Three’s Company?) that together form the backbone of defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough’s defense (Charlie’s Angels?).
“I think we’re great together,” Westgate said. “We all like to jump around and have a good time, and we all bring something different to the table.”
Most discussions of the UCLA defense, alphabetically or otherwise, start with Ayers; the junior strongside linebacker leads the team in interceptions, fumble recoveries and is second in sacks ““ a year after he dazzled the country as a sophomore with big play after big play and scored three defensive touchdowns. The playmaking ability and physical gifts of the 6-foot-4-inch, 255-pounder have NFL scouts drooling; ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Ayers as the 15th-best college prospect on his latest Big Board.
“Akeem’s done a great job this year of making big plays,” Larimore said.
“Akeem is, well, he’s Akeem,” Westgate added. “He does what he does. He’s very difficult to stop.”
“It’s instinct,” Ayers said. “Some of the plays that happen, you really don’t have a lot of time to think about what to do. It kind of just happens. Your body just takes over, and kind of makes a play of you.”
While Ayers’ productive sophomore season ““ he actually ranked fourth on the team in touchdowns ““ generated lofty expectations for the 2010 season, few knew how his running mates would perform.
“Coming into the season, people didn’t know what to expect from the two,” Ayers said.
Westgate started one game a season ago but played primarily on special teams. The longtime knock on the junior has been straightforward: too small, too small, too small. The Three Bears? Westgate would have been designated as the Baby Bear.
Not that he’s allowed those thoughts to simmer.
“It is what it is,” Westgate said. “If you keep letting it get to you you’re not going to get better. I used to use that as motivation, but now it’s more about doing my part to help us win the game.”
“Westgate’s done an excellent job of stepping up for an undersized linebacker,” Larimore added. “I think everyone came in doubting him, but he’s done a great job of stepping up and making tackles.”
“Watching him progress over the season, it’s been a great thing to watch,” Ayers said.
Larimore speaks of Westgate stepping up, but he was no star himself entering this campaign. He was exclusively a special teams performer last season. To put things in perspective, Ayers had more touchdowns (three) than Larimore had tackles (two) in 2009.
But the redshirt sophomore has filled in nicely at the middle linebacker spot vacated by the graduated Reggie Carter. Larimore had started every game before suffering a dislocated shoulder against Oregon that will sideline him for at least a few weeks.
“Me and Pat kind of play off each other,” Westgate said. “We do a good job of working together with his size and my speed.”
“Having someone by my side that I know can also make plays and just be where they’re supposed to be ““ that’s huge,” Ayers added.
“I’ve done a good job of keeping with my jobs and my assignments,” Larimore said.
In the wake of Larimore’s injury, the Bruins have a couple of options. They can either go with experience ““ Sloan is in his fourth year in the program ““ or a talented youngster like Zumwalt, who has come on strong recently by utilizing his speed and aggressiveness.
“Both Steve and Jordan will have to be ready to go in Pat’s absence,” UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. “Hopefully we’ll get Pat back as soon as possible, but that’s what you do.”
The progression hasn’t been easy for the group, which has had to face some of the nation’s most talented running backs. From Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas, to Cal’s Shane Vereen, to Oregon’s LaMichael James, the Bruins have consistently been tested by athletes who can easily get to the second level of a defense.
“We’ve taken two in a row on the chin, and we’re a prideful bunch,” Westgate said. “We’re not going to go down like that again.”
Maybe this trio doesn’t require a fancy nickname. Maybe they need to let their play on the field do all the talking. At any rate, they’ll have to find something of a new identity if they hope to properly replace Larimore in the middle of the defense.
“We got guys that just bring different stuff to the table,” Westgate said. “We got it down pat. For Pat.”