WATCH: Safety Key Lawrence assesses UCLA's secondary group
Costa Mesa, Calif. — Key Lawrence is headed into his first season at UCLA. But, the Ole Miss transfer now has a spring under his belt with the Bruins giving him comfort heading into the fall.
Lawerence made the move to UCLA following a redshirt season with the Rebels. He is about to embark on his sixth year in college. Lawrence, however, is still finding new things to help him develop as a player.
The Nashville native, who played also played at Tennessee and Oklahoma, has become a leader for the Bruins this offseason. Lawrence is someone the younger players can lean on. And, he’s more than willing to give advice.
Still, he is not afraid to take advice either. It is one of the biggest things he has learned since stepping on campus with the Bruins.
“Wise man learns from others,” Lawrence said Wednesday. “One day I might learn from a freshman. One day I might teach them something else. It doesn’t matter. We’re just all here trying to grind.”
UCLA is now a week through training camp, and Lawrence said being “poised” is what he’s taken away so far.
“That’s the main thing I’m learning right now is poise,” he said.
“There are a number of new pieces coming together and plenty of options in the UCLA secondary. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe said as much when speaking with reporters Wednesday.
Secondary coaches Demetrice Martin and Gabe Lynn will eventually have some decisions to make.
Lawrence is in strong position to be a key contributor this season. However, he feels confident about the group behind him.
“It’s not a battle,” he said. “It should be no fall-offs. The ones, twos, threes or fours, we all do our thing. So it’s no drop-off.”
Full Key Lawrence training camp media session
Video recorded by BruinBlitz staff writer Tracy McDannald.
