UCLA Football: Bruins Host Former All-Pro and Pro Bowl NFL Running Back

The Bruins bring in another star athlete.

UCLA football had another visitor Monday, with former Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis stopping by to visit the team. The football team posted a photo of Portis standing alongside DeShaun Foster.

Thanks for stopping by, Clinton Portis! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/o3bwB0TgBV

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) March 4, 2024

Since Foster took over as the Bruins's new head coach less than a month ago, UCLA has seen several star athletes stop by the team including Portis, 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic, and NFL former running back Zach Charbonnet.

Now, Portis adds to that list. Portis was a top running back during his NFL career and while at the University of Miami. During his final collegiate season, Portis rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Portis would go on to become a second-round pick for the Denver Broncos, where he spent two seasons.

Portis immediately broke out as a rookie, rushing for back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons and 14+ touchdowns to start his career while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Portis won Offensive Rookie of the Year and then earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his second season. 

The Broncos would trade Portis to Washington before the 2004 season, where Portis would continue piling up 1,000 yards seasons over four of the next five years. Portis would finish his career with 9,923 yards and 75 touchdowns.

By bringing in accomplished players like Portis, the Bruins football team is showing the path to success to their current players and what great players did to become who they are.

Bringing players like Portis and Charbonnet especially adds to UCLA's reputation as a running back school. UCLA now has had top backs and top running back coaches with Foster and new OC Eric Bieniemy. If done well, UCLA can leverage these visits not just to help their current players, but also to add recruits.