UCLA Football: Bruins Offer Big Ten Transfer

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 12, 2024

Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Julian Fleming runs while being guarded by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Anthony Jones. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

DeShaun Foster's UCLA Bruins have apparently made an offer to transferring redshirt freshman Indiana University Hoosiers linebacker Anthony Jones, per a tweet from Jones on his official X account:

UCLA offer. @UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/AuvXnIDTxg

— Anthony Jones (@anthonyjones015) April 11, 2024

A 6'4", 255-pound linebacker out of Liberty High School in Las Vegas, Jones will be suiting up for his third NCAA program next fall if he does ultimately decide to ink a deal with the Bruins.

Jones has a connection on UCLA's revamped coaching roster under new head coach Foster. He began his collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks, working closely with then-Ducks assistant coach Tony Washington Jr., who had helped transform his alma matter's defense into one of the most feared in the nation during his tenure there, from 2021-23. Jones played just one game with the Ducks, in 2022, notching a single tackle.

He then transferred to Indiana, where he logged significantly more run. He logged 12 total tackles (eight solo, four assisted) for the Hoosiers, who were en route to a dismal 3-9 overall season record (1-8 in the Big Ten).

As a transfer prospect, the edge is considered a three-star prospect in 247Sports' transfer rankings, and the No. 47-best such player in the country.

UCLA is hoping to preserve some of the ferocity it had under since-departed defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn last season. Last year, the 8-5 team boasted the 11th-best defense in the nation under Lynn.