WATCH: DeShaun Foster breaks down running backs, importance of light-hearted moments

UCLA's running backs coach met with the media to talk about his position group's prospects this upcoming season

Running backs coach DeShaun Foster is one of the longest-tenured coaches with the Bruins, and he takes an even bigger lead when adding in his playing days in Westwood.

Foster talked to reporters Tuesday about what he's been seeing from the one-two punch of Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown, what roles the other backs can fill, his relationships with former players, his friendships with current coaches and how good he is at Madden.

DESHAUN FOSTER

Thoughts a week-ish out from the opener?

Same group as spring, we just added Deshun. So Brittain Brown's been doing well, same with Zach Charbonnet, Ethan Young – I mean, Ethan Fernea. And then we got Keegan Jones, Keegan Jones, well, just came back. And then we have Deshun and Brian Kowall. So the guys, they're playing well, guys are playing hard, I like what I'm seeing so far.

What are you seeing from Murrell?

Just a hard worker. Everything that he – watching him just work out in the summer, I was impressed by that, just his demeanor, how serious he was. He pretty much knows the offense, so it's kinda exciting just to see a young guy learn as fast as he has, so I'm just excited to see where he goes from there.

Been here for a while now, feeling around this team compared to others?

Guys are kinda comfortable, you can see that they know what they're doing, kinda have down the rhythm of how practice goes, so it's just good to see the older guys that came in with coach Kelly, they're juniors now and stuff like that. So I'm just excited to see how this team's gonna go.

Dynamic between Brown and Charbonnet?

Just two competitive guys. They both help each other in the room, they coach up the young guys so it's just, I mean, I promote competition in the room. So we're always gonna have competition and they embrace it. I'm just excited I got two guys that embrace it, they work well with each other, and just hopefully we can carry on this into the season.

Process of bringing Fernea to RB?

Yeah, he's pretty much up to speed. It was similar to Felt, more of a toughness thing. I just knew he was tough enough to play the position, I've seen him run down on kickoffs, he's made plays in space at receiver. So I was just excited to get my hands on him and see what happens, but he's doing a great job. He had a really great spring and he's carrying that over into summer.

Status of Christian Grubb?

He tore his achilles in track. So we're just waiting for him to get healthy and as soon as he's healthy, he'll be back.

Difference between this running back room and previous ones?

It might just be more in style. Like the first year was Josh Kelley and Felt, well actually, it was just Josh Kelley. The next year was Josh Kelley and Felt, then it was Felt and Brittain and now it's gonna be Zach and Brittain and the other guys too. But just in the style of play, just how they play the game. Usually it's kind of a bigger back and a smaller back and this one's two big backs, but they both complement each other really well. Brittain's more of a slasher, he kind of hits things and tries to get out there, and I'm just excited to see what Zach's gonna do. He's a bruiser, but he has feet, he's pretty fast too, so I'm just excited to see these guys now.

Charbonnet sees hole and hits it, delivers contact?

Yes, that's a pretty good – from the distance that you're at, you've got it right on. But he's doing well, I'm just excited to see, it was a good get for us. I'm only gonna thank Michigan cause I'm happy that he was able to come back home.

Still talking a lot with Kelley? Playing Madden?

When the kids get beat, they can't let it go, so you know? I've almost retired from that. They lost to me so they want get back, but I'm in camp right now, I'm focused, I don't have time for their shenanigans, but Josh, he wants some get back.

Relationship with Jerry Neuheisel?

It starts from back when I first came. Jerry basically kind of taught me the offense. He was playing quarterback at that time. I leaned on him a lot just to learn the offense from him so our relationship has just taken off from there. And he’s just a Bruin through and through. Father as well. He’s a good guy. I love Jerry.

Kaz Allen splitting time at WR and RB?

It’s more one-on-one. He’ll get the meeting time with the receivers and he’ll circle back with me and get some one-on-one stuff. He’s an offensive weapon so we gotta use him. This is a guy you gotta find ways to get him on the field.

Want to see more focused or hyped up mindset?

It’s basically focused. This is going to be my first season with Zach. I’ve had Brittain for a year, Brittain kind of knows the routine, but it’s just stay focused. I have a lot of quiet guys in our room. Not big talkers, don’t really have a big social media presence, they just kind of lock in and stay that way. Stay locked in, be ready to play, when your number gets called, make that play. And that’s kind of how we’re going to approach the season.

Good thing that they don't have big social media presence?

Kind of just throw-back kids. Just a little different. No tattoos, no social media, just a throwback kind of player I guess.

What does Keegan Jones bring to the group?

He’s similar to Kaz, they just have a certain speed that is pretty exceptional and they can catch out of the backfield real well. So we still have that aspect of Felt, route-running wise out of the backfield with Ethan also. So it’s just good now that I have a bunch of different styles, it’s not just one or two. I have a few different styles to play with. I’m just glad Keegan’s back out there.

Want to bring guys to RB because of Felt's success?

Yeah, because I think that kind of helped their confidence. Knowing that a player their size, that they’ve been seeing somebody do that, that’s another variable that you got too. So I think they’re pretty excited knowing that Felt was able to be successful in this offense, running the ball and catching out of the backfield and seeing that transition to the NFL so I know these guys are pretty excited to be able to show their skills.

What'd you sing for Karaoke?

That was, was that Sugar Hill Gang? Sugar Hill Gang? Yeah, it was Sugar Hill Gang. I just wanted to show, just showing the world my many talents. (laughing) They had a talent show for a minute, I just jumped in it. Kind of just went for it. Trust me, I was nervous. It was a nerve-wracking thing just thinking about me having to perform in front of the players. I’m glad it went well.

Light-hearted moments boost morale?

It’s just good team bonding. We’re around each other so much so I know sometimes, they might need to see us in a different light. Not a coach. Just always coaching them. So just to see that we listen to music too, we’ve also been in the locker room and we’ve played this game too. We’re just a little bit older guys, but it’s the same thing.

See Felton's preseason debut?

I was really excited. Felt had a great game. He played really well. Had a few catches, made a tackle on kickoff, returned a kickoff and returned a punt. So it was just — I was excited to see him get touches. Now hopefully he can get a couple carries too and that’ll make me really happy.

Feel responsible as position coach to stay close to guys after UCLA careers?

This is more of a lifetime thing, you know? Me being a Bruin, it’s just giving back to the school. It’s giving back to the school, players who have played here. I’m never going to throw anybody away like it’s over when you leave. We’re always going to stay in contact because I’m going to need them to pass the whistle down to the younger guys when that time comes.

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