Jayon Brown goes from Myles Jack’s replacement to UCLA’s defensive leader

10:40 PM ET

It’s one thing to interview the teammate of a player for a feature story. Sure, they’ll give you all the requisite clichés about being a leader, how he is the heart of the team and how everyone respects him. First one in, last one out, etc. etc.

But finding an opponent — a big, nasty offensive lineman who makes his living flattening other players — getting compliments out of those guys can be a challenge.

So when Utah offensive tackle J.J. Dielman was asked about UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown, he immediately, if not begrudgingly, gave respect where respect was due.

“He was a fast dude,” Dielman said. “When we watched him on film, we knew he was going to be fast. But then when you get on the field, it’s like holy hell, this guy is a blur, man. When you get to that second level and try to find him, he’s gone. That made our job tough and that was half the reason things didn’t end up the way we wanted to in that game. He’s a good player.”

The game Dielman is referring to is last year’s UCLA-Utah showdown, a game the Bruins won 17-9 as the Utes offense was kept out of the end zone. Ultimately, that late-season loss also cost the Utes a spot in the Pac-12 title game. Brown led UCLA with 10 tackles while also getting in on a sack, a tackle for a loss and recovering a fumble. It was one of several games last year when Brown led the Bruins in tackles. For the season, he led …

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