UCLA spring football review: What we learned about the Bruins

First-year head coach DeShaun Foster has hit the ground running, creating a buzz among players, recruits and alumni

The UCLA football program has finished its first spring camp with DeShaun Foster at the helm.

Here are a few things we’ve learned after watching and observing how things played out in recent weeks:

WARM WELCOME

Foster has not only been up to the task of retaining the talent on the roster since taking over the program, but he’s also emphasized engaging the UCLA community.

Foster has followed through on a vision he’s put into motion with the introduction of a Friday Night Lights practice event that was deemed as a success. The practice attracted hundreds of recruits and their families to watch practice on the fields while also inviting fans to watch from the parking structure that oversaw the Wasserman Football Center.

The first-year coach followed through on that momentum with the program’s first Spring Showcase event at the Rose Bowl since 2015.

The university announced that 11,703 people attended the event, which saw the offense and the defense compete in various competitive situations.

The football program has also seen a strong presence from former players.

Former running back Maurice Jones-Drew, linebacker Krys Barnes and offensive lineman Jon Gaines II were among the alumni on campus to watch practice April 6. Several others, including recently drafted edge rusher Laiatu Latu, also showed up at the Spring Showcase to interact with the fans and sign autographs to help close the event.

RECRUITING

Recruiting has taken a step in the right direction under Foster and his staff. Director of Player Personnel Stacey Ford has been held in high regard with the parents of local area recruits.

The program is starting to attract some of the top talents from upcoming high school classes and those currently in the portal on campus for visits.

Foster and his assistants will now take the next step in recruiting when they begin to host players and their families for official visits this weekend and coaches begin traveling in search of more 2025 prospects.

RECEIVER DEPTH

The receiver room looks promising and deep. Titus Mokiao-Atimalala could be poised for a big season after not playing at all last season. The junior, who caught 17 passes for 290 yards in 2022 after transferring from Central Florida, stood out significantly throughout the spring with every ball thrown his way.

Notre Dame transfer Rico Flores Jr. was working with the second team during the early portion of spring camp but appeared to be rotating with Logan Loya for first-team reps Tuesday.

Loya (59 catches for 655 yards and 5 TDs) and J.Michael Strudivant (36 catches for 597 yards and 4 TDs) return after serving as leading receivers last season. It was a fairly quiet spring for Strudivant, who spent some time dealing with an injury.

EDGE HELP

The Bruins’ pass rush led the defense in 2023 with Latu and Gabriel and Grayson Murphy on the roster. With all three now pursuing NFL careers, talent and depth appear limited at edge rusher.

Senior defensive end Devin Aupiu and Navy transfer Jacob Busic have worked with the first-team defense throughout the spring.

Foster has alluded that the coaching staff would look to address the position need in the portal.

FULLBACK

Foster mentioned that new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has introduced his version of the West Coast offense to the Bruins throughout the spring.

It would appear that running back Anthony Adkins could see an increased role as a result this season. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound junior has been seen lining up as a fullback during practice, but was sidelined with an undisclosed injury this past week.