Takkarist McKinley’s development proves crucial for UCLA defensive line

Takkarist McKinley’s athleticism and natural pass-rushing ability were never in question. Even though he didn’t sign a letter of intent with UCLA until mid-September, Coach Jim Mora said at the time that McKinley was good enough to come in and contribute right away.

Two weeks after signing, McKinley played in his first collegiate game at Arizona State. Last weekend against Cal, about a month after arriving in Westwood, McKinley started and played more than 50 snaps.

He recorded two tackles — one for a loss — and one quarterback hurry while playing a significant role for a defense that had three sacks and allowed just 56 rushing yards.

Not bad for a newcomer.

“He has really done a great job of diving into the playbook, learning our techniques, and he’s been practicing extremely hard,” defensive line coach Angus McClure said on Tuesday. “That’s a credit to him. He spent all the hours he needed to spend to get caught up with us. Obviously we all know he was way behind the eight ball compared to the rest of the team, with preparation and that type of stuff. But he’s caught up, and I thought on Saturday it showed. He did a great job.”

McKinley thought he would be spending a second season at Contra Costa College this year, but after a ruling that mistakenly declared him academically ineligible for Division-I football was overturned, his recruitment for this season opened up. When he committed to UCLA, there was a lot to learn in a short amount of time.

As a defensive end with a more specialized pass-rushing role, McKinley had to cram to learn the playbook, and also spent time before and after practice learning different techniques. He didn’t have spring practice or fall camp to get adjusted. He was thrown into it fast.

“He’s just causing havoc,” linebacker Eric Kendricks said on Monday. “He brings a lot of speed and force off the edge, so I’ve got to [do] my job on the back end knowing the ball is going to come out faster, knowing that he’s maybe going to extend the play and force the quarterback to scramble. … He’s a good addition.”

Playing as the defensive end, McKinley’s emergence also allowed Owamagbe Odighizuwa to move inside. The redshirt senior had one of his best games of the season at the new spot, recording four tackles and a sack while constantly being in the backfield.

So, McKinley’s development has helped the Bruins out in more ways than one.

“I think it will continue to develop into something we use more and more,” Mora said. “It’s a little bit like how we used Cassius Marsh last year at times. ...Trying to get all your most explosive pass rushers on the field all together sometimes demands that you move guys around a little bit. [Odighizuwa] is a guy that has universal quickness. I don’t think he felt entirely comfortable on Saturday, sometimes he was a little late off the ball, but as he does it more, you’ll see him get more and more comfortable with it. I think it’s a great spot for him. I think it’s a good matchup for those guards.”

Realistically, Odighizuwa could only shift because McKinley has stepped up. The transfer wasn’t even on the team at the beginning of September. Now, he’s forced UCLA to change its defensive line rotation — seemingly for the better.

“He’s done an outstanding job of just picking up what we’re doing, and really the fundamental techniques that we teach,” McClure said. “It’s not the easiest thing to learn, but he’s picked it up really fast…. It’s a credit to him. He’s done a great job.”

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