LOS ANGELES — Sound waves came flooding out of UCLA football’s DJ booth, blasting Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.” during the final 11-on-11 team period of practice Saturday morning.
The Bruins’ running backs are already competitive, and adding the elements of loud music and intentionally planned goal-line run drills brings it out even more.
“They’re competing with each other just to see who can take contact and still get in the end zone,” head coach Deshaun Foster told reporters. “And then they compete with each other on getting to the building on time. Who’s the first one at meetings? Who watches the most film?”
The development of the passing game has been disrupted due to quarterback transfers, but the run game continues to chug away.
The quarterback room has gone from seven players to just four – Luke Duncan, Nick Billoups, Henry Hasselbeck and Colton Gunmino.
“They’re guys that are resilient and want to compete,” Foster said. “This is a competition sport, so it’s something that is daily. I just love the way that these four guys came out here and wanted to play today.”
Foster confirmed Saturday that Robert McDaniel was the most recent UCLA quarterback to enter the portal. Joey Aguilar has transferred to Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava, a transfer from Tennessee, will arrive in the summer.
Dermaricus Davis is also reportedly entering the portal, but Foster did not confirm the reports and said there is a chance the Washington transfer from Etiwanda High might stay at UCLA. The coach is also unable to comment on any other possible incoming transfers except for Iamaleava.
The Bruins’ running back room has had more stability. Jalen Berger and Anthony Frias II continue to receive the majority of repetitions, followed by early enrollee Karson Cox and, now, Anthony Woods.
Woods, a transfer from Utah, had taken part in 7-on-7 team periods but was cleared for his first 11-on-11 activity Saturday morning. His highlight was a 10-yard run on a handoff from Duncan during an 11-on-11 period.
UCLA is also reportedly gaining Cal running back Jaivian “Jet” Thomas out of the transfer portal. Thomas was the top remaining running back in the portal and rushed for 626 yards and seven touchdowns on 100 carries as a sophomore last season.
Good day for defense
UCLA’s defense repeatedly disrupted the offense in a 7-on-7 period Saturday morning.
Safety Jadyn Hudson intercepted Billoups early in the period and defensive back Jadyn Marshall reached up to pick off Hasselbeck on the next play.
Linebacker Donavyn Pellot and defensive back Marquise Villahermosa broke up passes by Duncan and Hasselbeck, respectively.
Early enrollee defensive end Cole Cogshell was also able to get to Billoups for what would’ve likely been a sack in a game situation.
“That freshman class is pretty good. I’m excited about the pass rushers that I have there,” Foster said. “Him and Juju (Walls) show that they have a pretty good burst coming off the ball.
“We’re working on their hands, and just getting with (defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe) and (defensive line) coach Jethro (Franklin). As soon as they put on some weight, they’ll be pretty good, but they’re most definitely flashing.”
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