It’s been a rough few months for Ishmael Adams.

In spring, the redshirt junior was demoted from starting cornerback to nickel back as fellow redshirt junior cornerback Marcus Rios rose ahead of him on the depth chart. In fall training camp, Adams suffered an ankle injury, which sidelined him for a majority of the first week. Then, most recently, Adams was arrested early Monday morning after allegedly stealing a cell phone from an Uber driver, which could rule him out for the season opener against Virginia on Saturday.

These events have put Adams’ career on a downward path. The question for the Bruins is whether they will fall with him.

Adams was integral to UCLA last year, starting every game and leading the team with two defensive touchdowns. His 95-yard pick-six at Arizona State was perhaps the Bruins’ most pivotal play all season, and his performance against Virginia was key in a 28-20 UCLA win. Adams also provided value and explosiveness as a kick and punt returner, finishing 26th in the nation with an average of 9.2 yards per punt return.

With his versatility and speed, Adams is hard to replace. But if there’s one team in the Pac-12 that can do it, it’s probably UCLA.

“There is more depth now at the (cornerback) position than we have ever had since I’ve been here,” said coach Jim Mora this spring.

The Bruin cornerbacks proved Mora right in fall camp, outperforming every defensive position group. Rios looked particularly strong, making Adams’ absence more of an afterthought than a pressing concern.

There’s little reason to believe that Rios won’t continue to impress in the season opener against Virginia. The Cavaliers’ passing game is pedestrian at best, and they only have one big-play receiving threat in 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior Canaan Severin.

With Rios having essentially replaced Adams at cornerback already, the only other positions that UCLA needs to account for are kick returner and punt returner. In fall camp, freshman wide receiver Stephen Johnson and sophomore receiver Mossi Johnson looked to have those positions covered.

“I really like Stephen Johnson back there and Mossi, they’re sure-handed back there,” said linebackers and special teams coach Scott White in fall camp. “Ball security – that’s the main thing; that’s why we’ve got Mossi back there (on punt returns).”

Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.