LOS ANGELES — DeShaun Foster has remained transparent about his need to use the transfer portal to help fill depth and multiple positions during the spring transfer portal window.
This has been the only opportunity for Foster to make any significant roster moves, considering he was hired in February.
There weren’t a significant amount of players who decided to enter the transfer portal from last season’s roster following the coaching change and Foster has been successful in keeping a few who did decide to enter the portal from actually leaving.
UCLA’s ability to persuade defensive lineman Jay Toia to stay with the program may have been the Bruins’ biggest portal victory of the offseason.
Toia briefly to explore his options and even attend Texas’ spring game. He was ranked as the third-best transfer defensive lineman by 247sports. Just a few days later, the 6-foot-3, 325-pound standout .
The new coaching staff has also managed to add some new players, especially along the offensive line in recent weeks, but there’s still work to be done.
The lack of depth at defensive end still needs to be addressed by evaluating what’s remaining in the portal after the spring period closed earlier this week. Players can no longer enter their name in the portal but those that remain in the portal can still find a new program for the upcoming season.
UCLA’s list of needs became even longer after losing three players, including tight end Hudson Habermehl, to ACL injuries during spring practice. Habermehl was expected to be a key contributor but his status for a return this season seems uncertain.
Here’s who is in and who is out for the Bruins entering their first season in the Big Ten Conference:
WHO’S GONE
QB Dante Moore, sophomore, Oregon (fall window): The former five-star true freshman left Westwood after just one season. He started five games and finished the season completing 114 of 213 passes for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
QB Collin Schlee, redshirt senior, Virginia Tech (spring): In his one season, Schlee displayed dual-threat ability last season but shared playing time as part of a rotation.
WR Kam Brown, senior, Purdue (fall): Brown finished his UCLA career with 54 receptions, 772 yards and six touchdowns in 32 games.
TE Carsen Ryan, junior, Utah (fall): Ryan spent the first two seasons of his college career with the Bruins and came into his own this past season as a promising option in the red zone. The sophomore had 13 receptions for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
S Kamari Ramsey, redshirt sophomore, USC (fall): The Sierra Canyon product was the top recruit of UCLA’s 2022 recruiting class and is coming off a breakout redshirt freshman season.
DB John Humphrey, senior, USC (fall): After four years with the Bruins, the Pasadena native left to join the rival Trojans, following Ramsey and former defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
K R.J. Lopez, senior, Purdue (fall): The Mission Viejo alumnus made six of 11 field-goal attempts in his first season as a placekicker. He also made 31 of 32 PATs last season.
LS Beau Gardner, redshirt senior, Georgia (fall): The redshirt junior appeared in 12 games as a snapper on all kicks and punts in 2023. He played in just three games in 2022 after not playing in his first two seasons with the Bruins.
OL Bruno Fina, redshirt senior, N/A (spring)
DE Choé Bryant-Strother, redshirt senior, N/A (spring)
OL Jake Wiley, senior, Houston (fall)
DB William Nimmo Jr., senior, San Diego State (fall)
TE Grant Norberg, redshirt senior, San Jose State (fall)
WR Bradley Schlom, redshirt senior, San Diego (fall)
WR Jerry McClure, sophomore, San Diego State (fall)
WR Kyle Ford, senior, USC (spring)
OL Benjamin Roy, redshirt junior, N/A (spring)
DB Kaleb Tuliau, senior, N/A (fall)
K Ari Libenson, redshirt senior, N/A (fall)
WHO’S COME IN
OL Alani Makihele, senior, UNLV (spring window): He started all 13 games at left tackle for UNLV last season before deciding to transfer. The 6-foot-3, 350-pounder may compete for the starting role at right tackle this fall.
OL Reuben Unije, senior, Houston (spring): The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder spent four seasons at Houston and could step into a starting role in 2024. He played 679 snaps in 11 games at right tackle.
DB Ramon Henderson, senior, Notre Dame (fall): He’s spent time working with the first-team defense this spring. Henderson played in 12 games for the Fighting Irish in 2023.
DE Jacob Busic, senior, Navy (fall): The former Navy defensive captain worked with the first-team defense as an edge rusher throughout the spring.
DB K.J. Wallace, redshirt senior, Georgia Tech (fall): He started 10 of 12 games as a starting nickel back for the Yellow Jackets. He’s worked with the first-team defense in the spring.
DB Bryan Addison, senior, Oregon (fall): The Gardena Serra alumnus returns to Southern California after five years in Oregon. He adds an immediate veteran presence to the starting secondary.
WR Rico Flores Jr., sophomore, Notre Dame (fall): Flores was Notre Dame’s third-leading receiver as a true freshman with 27 catches for 392 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. The 6-foot, 198-pound receiver has worked with the first- and second-team offense this spring.
K Mateen Bhaghani, sophomore, Cal (fall): The kicker played in the last seven games for the Golden Bears and totaled 33 points, making 4 of 5 field-goal attempts while going 21 of 21 on extra points. He’s also proven he can handle kickoff duties.
DE Cherif Seye, grad student, Florida A&M (spring)
QB Dermaricus Davis, true freshman, Washington (spring)
DE Collins Acheampong, sophomore, Miami (fall)
LB Joseph Vaughn, senior, Yale (fall)
Michael Carmody, senior, Notre Dame (fall)
DL Luke Schuermann, senior, Johns Hopkins (fall)
LS Travis Drosos, senior, South Alabama (spring)
P Brody Richter, sophomore, Northern Arizona (spring)
TE Bryce Pierre, senior, Arizona State (spring)
