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With UCLA preparing to open fall camp on August 8, we will break down the depth charts at each position in order to look at how the Bruins stack up heading into this season. We've previously looked at quarterbacks, the defensive line, the offensive line, and the running backs. Now we turn our attention to the linebackers.

Current depth chart:

STRONG SIDE LINEBACKER

Glenn Love (Sr., 6-4, 213)

Jordan Zumwalt (So., 6-4, 236)

Aramide Olaniyan (Fr., 6-2, 212)

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

Patrick Larimore (Jr., 6-3, 250)

Isaiah Bowens (So., 6-1, 233)

Phillip Ruhl (Fr., 6-1, 230)

WEAK SIDE LINEBACKER

Sean Westgate (Sr., 5-11, 225)

Erick Kendricks (Fr., 6-1, 228)

Ryan Hofmeister (So., 6-0, 220)

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Akeem Ayers waited patiently for his name to be called Thursday night. He sat in the green room at New York City's Radio City Music Hall for nearly four hours.

His moment in front of the cameras never came.

The former UCLA linebacker didn't get selected until Friday afternoon -- 39th overall by the Tennessee Titans -- but by then he was already back in Los Angeles.

"I didn't really, honestly, plan on being there an extra day," Ayers said in a conference call with reporters. "My flight was already booked. Things were already set up."

Ayers had been a projected first-rounder for a long time, rising as high as 13th overall in some of ESPN's mock drafts. But a poor showing at the combine -- including disappointing 40-yard dash times of 4.80 and 4.83 -- discouraged some teams.

"It does leave a chip on my shoulder," Ayers said of him falling out of the first round. "It makes me work harder and more excited to play, just to prove the doubters wrong."

He said he didn't regret his decision to leave New York prematurely. He found out of his selection while he was in the car on the way home from the airport, missing it by about 10 minutes.

"I was still excited," he said. "It was probably a little better, just because it was more of a surprise. I didn't know who was picking at the time, so I'm driving home and I get a random call. It's probably an equal or greater feeling when you answer the phone and you don't know who it is."

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Former UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers was taken by the Tennessee Titans with the 39th overall selection in the NFL Draft on Friday.

It's somewhat of a disappointment for Ayers, who had, for a long time, been a projected first-round choice. He was rated as high as No. 13 overall by ESPN, but started slipping after a lackluster showing at the combine in late February.

Ayers was in the green room at Radio City Music Hall for the first round on Thursday but was not visible on Friday.

The outside linebacker joins former teammate Alterraun Verner in Nashville, who had a solid rookie season for the Titans last year.

Only three UCLA players are expected to be selected in this year's NFL draft. Here are some quick notes leading up to Thursday's first round:

Akeem Ayers, outside linebacker, 6-3, 254 lbs.

Upside: Ayers' hybrid ability is his major bread winner. He's quick enough to line up at outside linebacker and big enough to play defensive end from time to time. Ayers combines his physical tools with natural instincts and should be a formidable player at the next level.

Possible teams: San Diego Chargers (18th overall), New York Giants (19th), Kansas City Chiefs (21st), Philadelphia Eagles (23rd), Baltimore Ravens (26th), New England Patriots (28th), New York Jets (30th)

Projection: If you recall, Ayers was projected as high as No. 13 in early mock drafts but slipped a bit following a poor showing at the combine. Unofficial 40-yard dash times of 4.83 and 4.80 in Indianapolis turned some teams off, but he made up for it slightly at UCLA's pro day workouts. Regardless of the lackluster numbers, Ayers is slated to become UCLA's first first-rounder since Marcedes Lewis (2006). We'll predict he gets nabbed by Baltimore -- looking to develop the next Terrell Suggs -- with the 26th overall pick.

Rahim Moore, safety, 6-0, 202 lbs.

Upside: The definition of a ball hawk. Moore led the nation with 10 interceptions as a sophomore and wasn't tested much last year. He studies film relentlessly, which allows him to make the correct reads more often than not.

Possible teams: Baltimore Ravens (26th overall; Moore gets to learn from idol Ed Reed), New York Jets (30th overall), Pittsburgh Steelers (31st), Cincinnati Bengals (35th), Denver Broncos (36th), Cleveland Browns (37th), New England Patriots (have three of first 33 picks), Dallas Cowboys (40th overall pick)

Projection: Moore knows he's not a top-15 pick, yet believes he's still first-round material. Whether or not an NFL team thinks the same remains to be seen. Moore could go off the board late in the first, say, to a team like the Patriots, who have the luxury of two first-round selections. If that doesn't happen, Moore will hear his name called early on the second day.

Kai Forbath, place kicker, 5-11, 191 lbs.

Upside: The 2009 Lou Groza Award winner has a strong leg and was virtually automatic during his time at UCLA. He finished his career tied for the Pac-10 and UCLA record with 85 made field goals, two shy of the NCAA record.

Possible teams: Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills -- all of which had a field-goal conversion rate of less than 77 percent last season.

Projection: There were three punters drafted last year, but no place kickers. That figures to change this year, though Forbath is rated as the No. 2 kicker in the draft behind Nebraska's Alex Henery. There hasn't been a kicker drafted higher than 160th overall (fifth round) since 2007. Ironically, that kicker was UCLA's Justin Medlock, who Forbath replaced. Look for something similar here, perhaps anywhere from the fourth round to the seventh.

With Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore headed for the NFL, UCLA football fans will have to get used to some new names.

The front-runner to fill Ayers' outside linebacker spot? Glenn Love, a redshirt senior who has plenty of special teams experience but has yet to make a defensive start. The leader to replace Moore at free safety? Dalton Hilliard, a junior who, like Love, has zero career starts to his name.

None of that should really matter, though. Love and Hilliard won't be docked for inexperience simply because there is none behind them. For example, the three players listed beneath Hilliard on UCLA's tentative depth chart -- Alex Mascarenas, Tevin McDonald and Brandon Sermons -- have three career tackles between them. So even though Hilliard (right knee surgery) will miss spring practice, the starting role doesn't figure to be determined until fall.

Love's situation appears even more favorable. He is ahead of redshirt freshman Aramide Olaniyan, true freshman Aaron Wallace and redshirt junior David Allen (two tackles on special teams last season).

"We want Glenn to have a chance to win a job," coach Rick Neuheisel said during a teleconference with reporters Wednesday. "Akeem has left and we wish him well, but Glenn being a senior, being a guy who does everything right in the program, I want him to have a chance to win that job. His body is built for a Sam linebacker. He certainly has cover ability. Now it's just about the physical portion of the job and being instinctive."

Instincts were a major reason why Ayers and Moore had the success they had. All of Ayers' memorable interceptions -- think of his defensive touchdowns against Oregon and Temple -- were a result of his reflexes. He sensed something coming and reacted immediately. It's a big reason why draft pundits believe he will have success at the next level.

Love, a former safety, didn't make the switch to outside linebacker until last season. His mental development will be key over the next four weeks.

Note: This is the second of our five questions leading up to the March 29 opener. Question 1: Will Brett Hundley threaten for starting gig?

Former UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers might have some work to do.

Ayers, working out as "Linebacker 1" at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, was unofficially timed at 4.80 and 4.83 in his two 40-yard dash runs Monday. In comparison, Texas A&M's Von Miller, the top outside linebacker in Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft, ran a 4.53.

Ayers has not cracked the top five in any of the linebacker workouts, either. He will surely look to improve on those at UCLA's Pro Day.

He was No. 13 overall in Kiper's first mock draft, then slipped to No. 21 in Kiper's pre-combine projections.

Place kicker Kai Forbath, linebacker Akeem Ayers and safety Rahim Moore received invitations to the NFL combine, which begins Thursday morning in Indianapolis.

The NFL Network will air a live news conference at 11:30 a.m. PT Thursday to kick off its coverage from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Forbath, the 2009 Lou Groza Award winner, is part of the first participating group. He finished his career with a UCLA record and Pac-10 tying 85 field goals, two shy of the NCAA record. Forbath missed five field goals last season, so he'll be looking to improve his draft stock. His official workout is scheduled for Friday morning.

Ayers, who checks in at No. 13 overall in Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest Big Board, is slated to arrive Friday and work out Monday. Moore, pegged as the top available safety, is scheduled to arrive Saturday and work out Tuesday.

The general schedule for combine participants:

Day 1: Arrival, registration, pre-examination and X-rays, orientation, interviews
Day 2: Measurements, exams, media, psychological tests, interviews
Day 3: NFLPA meeting, psychological tests, interviews
Day 4: Workout (timing, stations, skill drills), departure

From a UCLA news release:

Running back Johnathan Franklin, linebacker Akeem Ayers and safety Tony Dye were selected winners of UCLA’s Henry R. “Red” Sanders Award for Most Valuable Player at the Annual UCLA Football Awards Banquet, held Tuesday evening at the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel.

Franklin became the first Bruin since Chris Markey in 2006 to rush for over 1,000 yards. He finished with 1,127 yards, the highest total by a Bruin since 1997. He ranked fifth in the Pac-10 in rushing and earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors from the league’s coaches.

Ayers, one of the most versatile defensive performers in the country, earned second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. On the year, Ayers ranked fourth on the team with 68 tackles, first (tied) with 4.0 sacks, second with 10.0 tackles for loss and second with two interceptions.

Dye led the team with 96 tackles in his 12 games and his average of 8.00 tackles per contest ranked fourth (tied) in the Pac-10. He also led the Bruins and ranked seventh (tied) in the league with 10 passes defended (nine passes broken up and one interception). He earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention from the league’s coaches.

The complete list of winners:

• Charles Pike Memorial Award for Outstanding Scout Team Player: Offense: running back Jordon James; Defense: linebacker Eric Kendricks; Special Teams: linebacker Aramide Olaniyan
• Jack. R. Robinson Award for Highest Scholarship of a Senior Player: holder/punter Danny Rees
• N.N. Sugarman Award for Best Leadership: Offense: center Ryan Taylor; Defense: linebacker Sean Westgate
• Captain Don Brown Memorial Award for Most Improved Player: Offense: tackle Sean Sheller; Defense: linebacker Patrick Larimore
• John Boncheff, Jr. Memorial Award for Rookie of the Year: Offense: F-back Anthony Barr; Defense: linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, tackle Cassius Marsh, end Owa Odighizuwa
• Ed Kezirian “Coach K” Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence: safety Dietrich Riley
• Tommy Prothro Award for Outstanding Special Teams Player: place kicker Kai Forbath, punter Jeff Locke, running back Derrick Coleman
• Kenneth S. Washington Award for Outstanding Senior: Offense: tackle Micah Kia; Defense: tackle David Carter
• George W. Dickerson Award for Outstanding Offensive Player vs. USC: running back Johnathan Franklin
• Donn Moomaw Award for Outstanding Defensive Player vs. USC: safety Tony Dye
• Paul I. Wellman Memorial Award for All-Around Excellence: wide receiver Taylor Embree
• Jerry Long “Heart” Award: offensive guard Darius Savage
• Special Recognition: linebacker Akeem Ayers, safety Rahim Moore
• Henry R. “Red” Sanders Award for Most Valuable Player: Offense: running back Johnathan Franklin; Defense: linebacker Akeem Ayers, safety Tony Dye

Worse things have happened to UCLA football.

Like this blow from a year ago. Or even Kevin Prince's oblique strain last summer.

Yeah, Akeem Ayers' decision to forego his senior season and enter the 2011 NFL Draft means UCLA loses its top defensive player. But the Bruins have enough depth to absorb the defection. That's something that couldn't be said when defensive tackle Brian Price declared for the draft last year. With a depleted defensive front, UCLA never looked right.

There were no other Prices on the roster. Ayers' pass-rushing skills should be offset by the return of end Datone Jones, who missed the entire season with a broken foot. Rising sophomore Jordan Zumwalt is a budding star, as is Patrick Larimore -- the duo should be make up for Ayers' abilities at linebacker.

As a projected first-round selection, his decision to enter the draft was a no-brainer. Not doing so would have been a questionable career move.

It's not the worst thing that could have happened.

Akeem Ayers, Rahim Moore, Jeff Locke and Christian Yount have earned All-American honors for their performances during the 2010 football season.

Ayers, a junior linebacker, was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press, second team All-American by Phil Steele's magazine and earned honorable mention accolades from Sports Illustrated.

Moore, a junior safety, was a third-team pick by the Associated Press and a fourth-team pick by Phil Steele's magazine.

Locke, a sophomore who ranked fifth in the nation with a 45.84 punting average, was named honorable mention by Sports Illustrated. Yount, a senior long snapper, was named to Steele's fourth team.

If juniors Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore decide to leave school for the NFL, they will do it on a good note.

The two were named to the All-Pac-10 first team on Tuesday, the conference announced. When approached following UCLA's 28-14 loss to USC Saturday at the Rose Bowl, Ayers and Moore -- which are projected first-round selections in April's NFL Draft -- said they would weigh their options in the coming weeks.

Moore was also a first-team selection last year after recording a nation-best 10 interceptions. Ayers is one of five finalists for the Dick Butkus Award, which is given annually to the nation's top linebacker.

Also gaining accolades were senior place kicker Kai Forbath, sophomore tailback Johnathan Franklin and sophomore punter Jeff Locke, who were named to the second team.

The conference honorable mention list included junior tailback Derrick Coleman, junior safety Tony Dye, senior center Ryan Taylor and junior linebacker Sean Westgate.

PASADENA -- This was a big recruiting weekend for UCLA, but the Bruins two most important recruits are already on campus.

Keeping them is Rick Neuheisel's challenge now.

Junior linebacker Akeem Ayers and junior safety Rahim Moore both said they were undecided about whether they'll leave school a year early and enter the NFL draft after Saturday's 28-14 loss to USC at the Rose Bowl.

Ayers is currently rated as the 10th best prospect in the draft by Scouts Inc., Moore is rated 30th overall.

Neuheisel addressed both players in private conversations after the game.

"I just said, make sure you take your time because everybody is going to want you to say something right now," Neuheisel said of his conversations.

"We've had discussions before and they know how I feel. I want what's best for them. obviously I want to make sure they have all the information that's available to them so they can make informed decisions. I want to make sure they get it from a lot of different sources so they can weigh it all out and make the best decisions for them. But they know I support whatever decision they make.

"Obviously I'd love to have them back. It'd be a great way to start the team for next year."

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UCLA redshirt junior outside linebacker Akeem Ayers was named a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award on Wednesday. The award is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

Ayers, who checks in at No. 12 overall in Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest NFL Draft Big Board, has recorded a team-best four sacks and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 9 1/2. The other four finalists are Bruce Carter (North Carolina), Justin Houston (Georgia), Luke Kuechly (Boston College) and Von Miller (Texas A&M).

The winner will be announced between December 5-8.

Jacquizz Rodgers is about as versatile as running backs come, and nobody knows that better than UCLA.

Last year, Rodgers helped Oregon State defeat UCLA, 26-19, by using his legs, his hands and his arm.

In that game, Rodgers had 112 yards rushing, 92 yards receiving and completed a 14-yard touchdown pass out of the Wildcat formation.

"Jacquizz is a bona fide superstar," UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said. "A for sure NFL back. And he does so much more than carry the ball. He’s a wildcat quarterback. He’s very adept at protecting the quarterback. He’s a great receiver. He’s a very versatile player. And very tough to bring down."

This year, Rodgers is second in the Pac-10 and 14th in the nation with 105 yards rushing per game. He's scored a rushing touchdown in every game this year and has a streak of 12 consecutive games with at least one rushing touchdown. His 15 touchdowns this season are tied for the most in the nation.

For his career, Rodgers, a junior, has 3,430 yards rushing--10th on the all-time Pac-10 list, and his 126 career receptions are more than any running back in Oregon State history.

"I don’t say this about many players, but he has no weaknesses," UCLA safety Rahim Moore said. "He’s tough, quick, fast. Patience. He can catch the ball and throw touchdowns. It’s going to take all 11 of us to get to him because if we don’t, he’s going to be running for days."

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Rodgers, other than his versatility, is his size. He's listed at 5-feet-7, 191 pounds, but looks even smaller than that. But he more than makes up for his lack of size with excellent field vision, shifty open field moves and, most of all, heart.

"People think because he’s short and he’s not 220, he’s not strong," Moore said. "He gets stronger every play every quarter. He’s a complete back."

And his touchdown pass against UCLA was no fluke. Rodgers frequently lines up as quarterback in the Wildcat formation and while he most often runs out of it, he threw another touchdown pass last week in a 35-7 victory over California.

"He can pretty much do it all," UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers said. "There's a lot of things we have to watch out for against him."

Three others to watch:

Stephen Paea, DL, Sr.--This returning All Pac-10 selection is one of the premier defensive linemen in the nation. At 6-1, 311, he is a run-stuffing load and often powers into the backfield. He has 23 career tackles for a loss, including 12 sacks.

Markus Wheaton, WR, So.--Wheaton, a sprinter on the Oregfon State track team, has blazing speed and has picked up the receiving slack in the absence of injured James Rodgers. He has 32 catches for 406 yards and has two rushing touchdowns.

Dwight Roberson, LB, Sr.--The Beavers leader with 50 tackles, he has a sack in each of the last three games. He has 23.5 tackles for a loss in his career and has forced six fumbles. He was an honorable mention All Pac-10 selection last season.

UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers clearly hasn't been the same dominant player over the last month that he was the first month of the season and he's looking to change that around.

A return to health might help.

Ayers said he has been battling through a bruised shoulder and a severe case of turf toe and that the turf toe -- which causes acute pain and swelling in the joint of his big toe--has been harder to shake because of all the planting and change of direction required in football.

"The toe controls this whole body right here," he said. "This is my first time having it and I heard people talking about turf toe and I’m like ‘How are you going to let your toe hold you out? You should be able to continue what you’re doing.’ But it’s a big thing. It feels like it just holds the whole body together."

The injuries both happened during the Texas game in Week 4, Ayers said. In the first four games of the season, he dominated with 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In the four games since, he's had 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

"We’ve got to get him back to being the player that he is," coach Rick Neuheisel said. "Some of that is because we move him around so much maybe he’s out there too much. But he’s capable of more production and we’re hopeful that will happen starting this Saturday."

UCLA gave up 362 yards a game before Ayers injured his toe and has given up 484 yards a game in the four since. He said he's "close to 100%" now and expects to return to form this weekend against Oregon State.

"My shoulder healed quicker than my foot when I thought my foot would heal quicker," Ayers said. "It definitely plays a big part in how I've played, but at the same time, I just can’t worry about that. I have to keep fighting through it."