The UCLA Bruins football program is beginning a new era. DeShaun Foster is the new head coach following Chip Kelly’s departure to Ohio State. Eric Bineimy is the offensive coordinator after missing out on NFL head coach jobs once again, and the Bruins are now playing in the Big Ten Conference.
Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports revealed his Big Ten Conference predictions and he had UCLA at 14th on the list.
Former standout running back DeShaun Foster steps into a tough situation for a first-year coach. Although Foster has brought some renewed energy on the recruiting trail, the Bruins are transitioning to the Big Ten, a tough slate is on tap, and just nine starters are back for ’24.
Former NFL assistant Eric Bieniemy takes over a UCLA offense returning quarterback Ethan Garbers and rising star running back T.J. Harden. Receivers Logan Loya and J.Michael Sturdivant headline the weapons for Garbers on the outside, while three starters return up front. There’s potential with this group, but Bieniemy also has to find ways to jumpstart the passing game and find more overall production (just 5.02 yards a snap in Pac-12 contests last year).
Ikaika Malloe takes over the defensive coordinator role after D’Anton Lynn left for crosstown rival USC. Retaining defensive tackle Jay Toia after a brief entry into the portal this spring was huge for Malloe but only three of the team’s top 12 tacklers from ’23 are back. Edge rushers Laiatu Latu, Gabriel Murphy, and Grayson Murphy combined for 46.5 tackles for a loss and leave big shoes to fill this fall.
UCLA is ahead of Illinois, Northwestern, Indiana, and Purdue in these predictions.