One of the top needs for the Bruins to rebuild during the offseason was at linebacker.In the transfer portal, UCLA lost two key linebackers in Isaiah Chisom and Benjamin Perry, as well as losing JonJon Vaughns to graduation. Perry was a good depth player, while Chisom and Vaughns were the two leading tacklers for the Bruins last season.May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Bob Chesney reacts during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWhile Chesney was able to rebuild the linebacker room through the portal, he also retained key pieces from last year's Bruins team. One of those players was Jalen Woods, who was a top-three player on the Bruins defense last season. With Woods coming back, the linebacker room will surely improve and will be much more experienced heading into next season.May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Bob Chesney reacts during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWoods Coming out of High SchoolThe past few players we have talked about were prospects who were either unranked or ranked outside the top 1,000 in their recruiting classes.Oct 25, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (9) breaks up a pass intended for Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black (8) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectJalen Woods was a homegrown 3-star recruit from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California, and was a leader for the Braves. Woods was a fringe 4-star player, ranked 574th in the 2022 high school class, the 55th-ranked linebacker, and the 42nd-ranked player in the state of California according to 247Sports. In his senior season with the Braves, Woods was a standout player on the Braves' defense. Woods would have a total of 71 tackles, with 46 being solo tackles and 11.5 tackles for a loss. Woods would also prove his ability to rush the passer, recording a career-high 6.5 sacks.Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins linebackers Carson Schwesinger (49) and Jalen Woods (17) tackle Fresno State Bulldogs running back Bryson Donelson (26) during the third quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectPlaying for a program as highly decorated as St. John Bosco and being one of the leaders for the defense, Woods would have plenty of colleges to pick from. Woods would be recruited from high-level programs such as Miami, Kansas, Arizona State, Boston College, and Oregon. Woods would ultimately choose to stay home and play for UCLA.Woods' Early Years With the BruinsNov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (17), defensive back Jaylin Davies (6), linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49), and UCLA Bruins defensive back Bryan Addison (4) tackle Fresno State Bulldogs tight end Jake Tarwater (87) during the third quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectDuring the 2022 season, UCLA was led by Chip Kelly, who was coming off his best season as the Bruins' head coach, with an 8-4 record in 2021. Heading into the 2022 season, UCLA was unranked, but it would finish with an even better season, posting a 9-3 record and peaking as the ninth-best team in the country.With the Bruins having so much success, Woods didn't see much playing time during his freshman season. Woods would appear in just two games for the Bruins as a reserve. In those two games, Woods would have six total tackles, with five being solo tackles and a tackle for a loss.Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins linebackers Carson Schwesinger (49) and Jalen Woods (17) tackle Fresno State Bulldogs running back Bryson Donelson (26) during the third quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectWhile appearing in just two games, Woods showed promise as a tackler and run stopper, using his speed to keep up with running backs and bring them down.Woods would see much more playing time during his redshirt freshman season with the Bruins. He played in all 12 games for the Bruins in a reserve role, but made a big impact, recording 11 total tackles (six solo) and two tackles for loss. Woods would have three games with more than two tackles, against San Diego State, NC Central, and Cal. Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (17), defensive back Jaylin Davies (6), and linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) tackle Fresno State Bulldogs tight end Jake Tarwater (87) during the third quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectTurnover for the BruinsUCLA was having a great stretch, with three seasons of eight or more wins, and now, potentially with another year of Dante Moore at quarterback, the future looked bright.Nov 5, 2022; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Chip Kelly greets Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Shaun Aguano after UCLA defeated ASU 50-36 at Sun Devil Stadium.