UCLA’s Kenny Clark ‘is just a monster,’ defensive coordinator says

UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has called sophomore Kenny Clark the type of player you can build a defense around. The sophomore is UCLA’s big man in the middle, someone who helps the Bruins run defense by taking on and shedding double teams.

Despite being a nose tackle, Clark is third on the Bruins in tackles through two games with 14. His improvement from freshman to sophomore year has been noticeable, as last season he didn’t record more than six tackles in a game.

Even so, Ulbrich thinks that Clark isn’t getting enough credit.

“He’s just a monster, he really is,” Ulbrich said. “He’s a guy who gets a lot of attention because of the run defender he’s become, so strong, so stout, but at the same time, he’s got a little wiggle to him. He’s got a little ... rush to him, more than people give him credit for.”

The Bruins have only one sack through two games. Ulbrich maintains that getting pressure is more important than getting sacks, but still, that number needs to be improve.

Clark should have a big hand in that the rest of the season, even though he doesn’t have the same opportunities to get pressure that outside pass-rushers do.

“It’s exciting to be around a kid like that ..., who comes out here and works the way he does,” Ulbrich said. “Just a great model of what it’s supposed to look like.”

For more Bruin observations, follow Everett Cook on Twitter @everettcook