Go Joe Bruin takes a look at the former UCLA football players that have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
It is a phenomenon that has taken college football recruiting fans by storm… THE PORTAL! If you have not heard, the NCAA Transfer Portal is a database that players can submit their names to with the intent of transferring from a program and alerts other programs around the nation about they’re availability. As you might already know, there are already a good number of former UCLA football players in The Portal.
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The Bruins are not immune to the effects of transfers, especially under Chip Kelly. Since the coach took over in late 2017, there have been 28 players to leave the program, which does not include early entrants to the NFL Draft.
With The Portal we can now track who is leaving, which helps to understand which positions Kelly and his staff need to fill.
Former UCLA Football Players in the NCAA Transfer Portal
| Player | Eligibility | Transfer to |
|---|---|---|
| Devon Modster, QB | Transferred | Cal |
| Brandon Stephens, RB* | Immediate | Unknown |
| Audie Omotosho, WR* | Immediate | Unknown |
| Matt Alaimo, TE | Pending Approval | Rutgers |
| Josh Wariboko-Alali, OL* | Immediate | Unknown |
| Justin Murphy , OL* | Immediate | Unknown |
| Chigozie Nnoruka, DL* | Transferred | Miami |
| Jaelan Phillips, DL/LB | Pending Approval | Unknown |
Information provided by 247Sports.com.
* – Denotes graduate transfer
From what we see here, UCLA needs to load up on offense. The primary area of concern is on the offensive line. In addition to Andre James declaring early for the draft, the Bruins have three players they need to replace. Though the Bruins have four O-linemen coming in next season, including 4-star tackle Seasn Rhyan, the Bruins are stil a bit thin and young.
The other offensive positions of players in the portal are not in as bad of a situation as the O-line. Currently, the Bruins have depth and talent at QB, RB, WR and TE, with at least one player coming in at each of these positions with the next recruiting class.
The defensive line takes a hit with both depth and talent. Nnoruka developed nicely through the 2018 season, but might look to get more playing time elsewhere. Phillips’ departure leaves the Bruins without their most dangerous pass rusher. If the Bruins want to maintain their “agressive” scheme, they need to find a few more EDGE players.
UCLA is slowly building up the line and the linebackers, but it will take a while to develop these positions. If UCLA can bring in a few more players at each position by National Signing Day, they should stop the bleeding in terms of depth.