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UCLA Football: Sophomore LB Rahyme Johnson intends to transfer

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins reacts to the second touchdown of Michael Warren II #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats to take a 14-10 lead during the second quarter at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins reacts to the second touchdown of Michael Warren II #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats to take a 14-10 lead during the second quarter at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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If the underwhelming 2019 recruiting class wasn’t enough bad news for today, sophomore linebacker Rahyme Johnson announced that he is transferring from the UCLA football team, further thinning out a position group in need of depth.

Normally, National Signing Day is a time for excitement with most Division I college football programs. It has not been that way for the UCLA football team as they have not only had to endure an underwhelming 2019 recruiting class but they are also losing another player to transfer.

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Today, sophomore linebacker Rahyme Johnson announced on Twitter that he intends to transfer from UCLA, causing the Bruins to remain stuck in the mire of depth issues at LB.

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Even before Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro arrived at UCLA, the program had been in dire need of bodies at linebacker.

A combination of abysmal recruiting efforts and lack of development has cursed the Bruins, and it was the hope that the new coaching staff can eventually solve that problem. So far, that has not been the case. In the last two recruiting classes, the Bruins have only brought in four linebackers.

In addition to that, since Kelly took over, six linebackers have left the program, including Johnson. This was almost inevitable. Last season, Johnson only played in two games and was suspended for part of the season.

This is obviously not good for the program, and especially the position group, but it makes one wonder what might be going on behind closed doors. It is understandable that certain players do not mesh with Kelly’s style which is why several have left, but it also brings up questions about why they cannot bring in more recruits, especially with elite talent.

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Though the Bruns have not been able to land top recruits during the 2019 recruiting cycle, it seems likely that Kelly will fill spots by way of transfers and walk-ons.