UCLA Football: Senior LB Gets Honest About Transfer Portal, NFL Draft

The upperclassman shares his thoughts on UCLA hiring DeShaun Foster and his NFL future.

Senior UCLA Bruins linebacker Kain Medrano has been a staple in the Blue and Gold's defense for the last three seasons. From the inside linebacker position, Medrano has tallied up a total of 120 tackles, nine-and-a-half tackles for loss, two sacks, and seven passes defended over the past three seasons. 

He was recently interviewed by a Tracy Pierson of 247Sports after UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster's introductory press conference. 

Medrano was strongly considering declaring for the 2024 NFL draft as the 2023 season wrapped up, but ultimately opted to stay one more season in Westwood. 

"There was a thought of declaring. But I talked to coach (Kevin) Norton and I talked to Fos (DeShaun Foster) and I actually talked to quite a bit of coaches on our staff and just thought it was the best decision to come back and play one more year..."

Medrano also shared that he never considered putting his name in the portal during the Bruin's coaching search, or even before Kelly left for that matter. 

Additionally, Medrano shared his knowledge of rumors regarding Chip Kelly's departure from the program about a week before he made his decision to become the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach at Ohio State.

"I just talked to my dad and. Our biggest thing was 'get your head down, control what you can control, and get to work'. So I didn't really worry about it too much. I just came in and worked out every day still, regardless of what was going on."

Medrano will undoubtedly play a huge role for the Bruins next season, which will be his last in college, as UCLA enters the Big-10 conference.