UCLA Football: How DeShaun Foster Feels About Risk Of Further Bruins Transfers

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 16, 2024

Feb 13, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; DeShaun Foster answers questions from media. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

This season's NCAA football transfer portal closes for good on April 30th. Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times reports that first-year UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster, did not expect further key contributors to the team from this past season's 8-5 vintage to jump ship that way, following the recent exits of running quarterback Collin Schlee and linebacker Choe Bryant-Strother.

The Blue and Gold's new head coach acknowledged that departures are ultimately always a risk, however.

“It’s part of the game, so if it does happen then it is what it is,” Foster remarked. “But hopefully, you know, this team stays pretty intact and we’ll be able to make it through the portal [without losing too many more key pieces].”

The biggest surprise UCLA football move this offseason, outside of former head coach Chip Kelly's decision to ditch Westwood in exchange for basically a career step down as the offensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes, may have been the departure of true freshman quarterback Dante Moore. Moore was a five-star prospect, and even stepped into a starting role in Kelly's offense for portions of last year, though he ultimately wound up serving as the backup to junior Ethan Garbers by the end of the season.

Here's hoping there aren't too many other players who decide to jump ship from this rebuilding Bruins program.