Anthony Woods was a transfer addition to the UCLA Bruins backfield for the 2025 season. He was considered a good get by former head coach Deshaun Foster. As Woods sat out the 2024 season with Utah after transferring from Idaho where he was a successful player. He ran for 2,003 yards and 19 touchdowns in two seasons at Idaho, displaying good speed and the ability to power for yards. This was the type of production that UCLA was hoping to get as they wanted to stabilize the running back position.
UCLA lands former Idaho/Utah RB Anthony woods. Woods ran for 2,003 yds & 19 TD's for Idaho from 2022-2023. Woods was a 3 ⭐ recruit out of Palmdale high School in the class of 2022.@UCLAFootball #uclafootball pic.twitter.com/33KKaxIxjB
— 4's up forever (@JesseGarciasae1) January 10, 2025
Woods began the season as a starter, but with UCLA’s offense in flux, there wasn’t much production. They had trouble creating lanes and being able to hold onto blocks. Which hurt the run game and became more of a zone offense to create something. Woods proved to be crucial in the passing game as seen in the game against Utah. He was the first Bruin to score in the 2025 season as he found some space with Nico Iamaleava.
bruIN the end zone for the @UCLAFootball TOUCHDOWN! Anthony Woods lays out for 6! pic.twitter.com/0VU9y6Zzcb
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2025
Woods then was hampered by an injury in the Michigan State game and never fully got the opportunity again. With the Bruins offense struggling and down in many games big. They went away from running and threw the ball a lot more. Leading to Woods only getting 20 carries in the last five games of the season and not many running lanes to do so with. With it being his redshirt junior season he now has one more opportunity as a senior to capitalize on his eligibility.
Woods will have a new coaching staff coming in. He will need to make the decision whether he wants to stick around or hit the transfer portal again. Also needing the coaching staff to see that they would like him on the roster. As many decisions are upcoming and there will be a lot of turnovers. He still is the starting running back as Jalen Berger has ran out of eligibility. But it remains to be seen whether the Bruins bring in some transfers or snag a late recruit to kick off the Chesney era.