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UCLA’s Key Lawrence brings energy and more to the defense

August 7, 2025

Key Lawrence is in the zone when he hops off the bus in Costa Mesa.

Xscape’s 1993 R&B hit “Just Kickin’ It” blasts in his headphones, the Ole Miss defensive back transfer bringing a visible energy – a level above his teammates – as UCLA weathered the 90-degree heat into the sixth day of fall camp. It’s a heat Lawrence said doesn’t compare to the slumbering summers of humidity in Lawrence’s hometown of Nashville, Tenn.

“Kick off your shoes and relax your feet. Party on down to the Xscape beat, just kick it. Just kick it (Just kick it), just kick it,” the tune plays.

As quarterback Nico Iamaleava chomped on a brownie snack as he trotted into camp Wednesday, Lawrence already appeared ready to go.

Lawrence didn’t need the sugar; he’s already “kickin’ it.”

“If I have some juice and some guys may not, some days, especially in camp, why not pour it to somebody else so they can affect myself as well?” Lawrence said. “Just fake it till’ I make it, if anything. But when I get off the bus, man, I’m just excited to do what I do. I just love what I do.”

Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe has noticed. Malloe identified the redshirt senior as a leader in a secondary – attempting to reverse the woes of a 107th-ranked passing defense the Bruins produced a year ago.

“Lawrence is doing a great job,” Malloe said. “His leadership skills are stepping up, and you can see carry over to the field as well as off the field in the meeting rooms.”

Lawrence has the résumé to help turn the tide. At Oklahoma from 2021-23, Lawrence forced six fumbles and tallied three interceptions.

Although he took a step back at Ole Miss last year from playing double-digit games across his first four collegiate seasons, Lawrence is the elder statesman of a new-look UCLA defensive backs room that enters nine transfers – led by defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin.

“It’s just a lot of things coming together, just like Floyd Mayweather,” Lawrence said about a secondary that’ll likely feature him and Croix Stewart starting at safety. “He takes a lot from different people, and they just mesh all to one and make it one good masterpiece.”

Martin’s son, Arizona State transfer Cole Martin, along with redshirt freshman defensive back Kanye Clark are two players that Malloe mentioned as potential younger impact options in the secondary.

Part of Malloe’s job, beyond improving passing defense, is finding ways to replace the production of NFL-bound Kain Medrano, Carson Schwesinger and Jay Toia – a task easier said than done.

He pointed to redshirt senior linebacker JonJon Vaughns – as did coach DeShaun Foster a week ago – and gushed over the defensive line, which returns Gary Smith III and Keanu Williams from injuries that held them out of the 2024 season.

Still, the combo of 233 combined tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and four interceptions tallied by the trio of NFL draftees will require a team effort to recreate. Smith, fit with a silver grill that he plans to wear during games, said the Bruins are up to the challenge.

“I feel like I’m gonna help being back a lot with that,” said Smith, who boasts a team-high, personal-best 700-pound squat. “I feel like Keanu, him coming back from injury, is gonna help. All of us are just gonna pitch in and we’re gonna get the job done for sure.”

Notes

After being non-participants in practice Tuesday, offensive tackles Courtland Ford and Reuben Unije completed team stretches during the media watching period Wednesday.

Ford (hands taped) and Unije (elbows taped) worked with the second-string offensive lineman during walkthroughs while the first-string lineman group included Garrett DiGiorgio at left tackle, K.D. Arnold at right tackle, Sam Yoon at center, Oluwafunto Akinshilo at left guard and Julian Armella at right guard.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Carter Shaw, the son of former Stanford head coach David Shaw, is back in action, taking part in special teams drills during the media period.

Foster had previously told reporters that Shaw was recovering from a labrum injury.

Defensive tackle Jalen Hargrove, who transferred from Rice last week, is in Costa Mesa, Malloe said. The defensive coordinator said the new Bruin is working on his cardio before joining the defensive line for group drills.

Orange County Register

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UCLA’s Key Lawrence brings energy and more to the defense

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