UCLA Football: Bruins RB Carson Steele Not Spotted at Practice

Carson Steele was not spotted at practice, which could be a bad thing.

The UCLA Bruins are set to take on the Boise State for the 2023 LA Bowl, which takes place December 16 at 4:30 p.m. PST. Though the team's hopes for playoff contention and a championship did not come to fruition, they can end their season with a big win. 

Chip Kelly's retention has caused a sizeable rift though, as many players entered the transfer portal, and Kelly will not allow those players to practice or appear in the bowl game. Strangely, Carson Steele was not spotted at practice, making us wonder if he might be among those players. 

No sign of UCLA running back Carson Steele out at practice today.

— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) December 11, 2023

There has been no mention of Steele dealing with an injury, and he has not announced that he is entering the transfer portal, which makes his absence seem oddly timed. 

Steele could be biding time until he formally announces his entrance into the transfer portal, which would be a huge hit to the UCLA Bruins. Steele has been one of the better players this season, and his exit from UCLA would be a shame. 

Plenty have been critical of Kelly sticking around another season, and the seven players who have entered the transfer portal might be directly related to his retention. 

Another issue that many people have is UCLA allowing defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn to leave for the USC Trojans campus. This could also be a factor as to why players are now entering the transfer portal.

Star QB Dante Moore was among the transfers, and his comments about heading somewhere where he can grow and develop was an unintentional jab at Kelly. For now, it appears that Steele's absence can be related to a great many things other than exiting UCLA, but we will certainly alert everyone if that happens. 

Despite the drama from the season still unraveling, a win on Saturday can cap off this successful season for the Bruins. 

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