Keanu Williams hits the transfer portal in search of another year

Keanu Williams is one of the latest Bruins to enter his name into the transfer portal. The red shirt, senior, who was a leader on the defensive line will be in search of a new team. He will need to gain another year of eligibility to make it happen. But since he only played two games in 2024, it should be granted. Williams is a vocal player and holds himself well and will be able to find a team to play for a year with. He is a very big guy in the middle of the line as he stands at 6’5 and can see over most people.

Williams has good strength to pair with his size and is able to shed blocks. Williams had his best season yet this past year. Totaling 39 tackles and starting in 11 of the 12 games for UCLA. There wasn’t anything in terms of sacks, but the UCLA defense has a whole struggled all season to get pressure. Williams will benefit from having other talented players around him. He has shown his hard work over the years bulking up from 280 pounds to 320 pounds.

Williams began his college career as an Oregon Duck. Playing two seasons there as a freshman sparingly and then a redshirt freshman. Seeking a better opportunity he transferred to UCLA for the 2023 season. Over three seasons there including his 2024 season that was cut short, he had 54 tackles 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The numbers are not eye popping. But he was a leader on the line and that cannot be taken lightly.

UCLA has a tough rebuild ahead. Each player that enters the transfer portal is another position that needs to be replaced. Bob Chesney and staff will have their hands full. But fans are confident he will be able to get it done. There should be no reason to panic as this is normalcy now in college with the NIL era. Williams locker room presence will be missed but the production will be able to be replaced. Williams will be better off on another team that he can utilize his size against guards and surrounded by talented players taking up double teams.