Tag: Carson Schwesinger

UCLA defensive end enters transfer portal after one season

The Bruins lost another player to the transfer portal.

After a big defensive season against the run in 2024, the UCLA Bruins defense has lost some key pieces. All-American linebacker Carson Schwesinger and defensive end Femi Oladejo declared for the NFL draft following UCLA’s first season in the Big Ten. Now, the Bruins are set to lose another defender. According to Peter Nakos of On3, UCLA defensive end Drew Tuazama has entered the transfer portal.

Tuazama is a journeyman in college football, having played for UCLA, Syracuse, South Carolina, and the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Though Tuazama only appeared in one game for the Bruins during his tenure, UCLA’s front seven lacks depth and experience heading into 2025.

That said, with a new regime of coaches joining the Bruins on both offense, defense, and special teams, resetting the roster could benefit the Bruins this season and beyond.

In 2024, the Bruins had one of the least talented rosters in the Big Ten. Makings through the transfer portal could improve their position sweeping change and potentially lead them back to a bowl game in 2025.

UCLA All-America linebacker accepts invite to Reese’s Senior Bowl

Another Bruin football player is Mobile-bound and will get a chance to increase his draft stock at the Senior Bowl.

After a big statistical year with the Bruins, linebacker Carson Schweinsger declared for the 2025 NFL draft in December. Before the All-American makes his way to the draft stage in April of this year, Schwesinger will stop in Mobile, Alabama. According to a post on X, the former Bruin has accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is one of college football’s most prestigious showcases. It allows NFL-bound players to wow scouts and general managers with their play over a week of practices and a scrimmage.

Schwesinger will join fellow former Bruin and defensive teammate Oluwafemi Oladejo in Mobile, where the two staples of UCLA’s defense in 2024 have a chance to show out together before the NFL Draft.

Though Schwesinger’s numbers speak for themselves, he has flown under the radar in the early goings of the draft process. However, if Schweinsger can have a big week at the Senior Bowl, he could emerge as a potential first-round draft pick in April.

UCLA football in talks to retain defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe

The Bruins are close to bringing back their best coordinator.

In the 2024 college football season, the UCLA Bruins’ defense was central to their success under defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.

Despite their 5-7 record on the season and 3-6 record in the Big Ten, the Bruins built a formidable defense, especially against the run, against a tough slate of conference opponents.

This week, Tracy Pierson of the Bruin Report Online reported that sources close to the situation believe UCLA is finalizing a deal to bring Malloe back to Westwood next season.

With coaching seats to fill across college football, Malloe’s success in 2024 made him a potential candidate for other programs as a defensive coordinator or head coach. According to Pierson, UCLA has no intentions of letting Malloe go.

Given the Bruins’ difficult schedule and offensive woes, Malloe and his unit were put in a difficult spot. That said, UCLA’s run defense ranked third in the Big Ten and helped linebacker Carson Schwesinger to a Butkus Award finalist nod.

Should the Bruins bring back Malloe, UCLA should see similar defensive success in 2025 as it looks to revamp its roster in the transfer portal.

All-American UCLA linebacker declares for NFL Draft

One of UCLA’s best is headed for the NFL Draft.

After a hardware-laden season in the Big Ten, UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger has declared for the NFL Draft.

Leading the Big Ten with 136 total tackles, adding four sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, Schwesinger was far and away the best player for the Bruins to take the field in 2024. Now, Schwesinger will take his talents to the NFL after being named both a first-team All-American and a Butkus Award finalist.

According to James H. Williams of USA TODAY, Schwesinger decided to forgo his final season of eligibility in the NCAA to declare for the NFL Draft.

Though the NFL Combine and Pro Days are still many months away, Schwesinger’s decision to leave for the NFL comes at the perfect time.

The former UCLA walk-on-turned-team-captain’s stock is at an all-time high and should garner attention from NFL teams looking to add an athletic tackling machine.

Able to plug running lanes and hold his own in pass coverage, Schwesinger, on tape, projects as a potential Day 2 pick in the Draft.

Chiefs scouting report: UCLA Bruins LB Carson Schwesinger

The Kansas City #Chiefs could look to target a player like UCLA #Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs need to channel their free agent spending toward fixing their offensive line, secondary, and receiving corps.

That reality may leave star linebacker Nick Bolton, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, on the chopping block and may open the door for Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to select the veteran’s replacement in the 2025 NFL draft.

At 6’2″, 225 lbs., UCLA Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger struggles to stack and shed blocks. However, he’s a fantastic athlete with excellent closing burst, range, speed, and fluidity in the open field. His acceleration, loose hips, and arm length should make him a riser throughout the pre-draft non-contact evaluation process at his pro day and the NFL Combine.

Schwesinger’s vision and instincts as a run defender help him find unimpeded paths to the football. He patiently sits at the second level, waiting for a lane to the ball carrier to open. Schwesinger locks in on running backs and mirrors their movements to meet them in the hole.

Offensive linemen drive Schwesinger out of plays with little difficulty, but the redshirt junior uses his speed to beat linemen to their landmarks. He also dodges or slips blocks with his agility. Schwesinger’s pursuit speed and impressive motor make him a threat to run down ball carriers at all areas of the field.

Schwesinger’s awareness and instincts in coverage need to continue developing, but his athletic tools make him a promising coverage linebacker. He brackets slot receivers down the seam with good inside leverage and takes away running backs or tight ends working at the short to intermediate levels.

Schwesinger must play with more discipline. He bites on misdirection and falls for eye candy in the backfield, which causes him to abandon his assignments in coverage. Even with these flaws, Schwesinger projects as a top 100 selection.

UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger named First Team All-American

Carson Schwesinger gets another honor.

After being named First-team All-Big Ten earlier this month, UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named an AP First Team All-American on Monday, the only Bruin to be named an All-American.

Schwesinger was one of five players from the Big-Ten selected as First Team All-Americans, all coming on the defensive side of the ball, with Schwesinger joining Penn State’s EDGE rusher Abdul Carter, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

Schwesinger becomes the 91st First Team All-American in program history, last year UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu was a unanimous selection to the All-American team. Schwesinger led not just the Bruins, but the entire Big Ten with 136 total tackles with an FBS-leading 90 solo tackles this season.

As a redshirt junior, Schwesinger could return to UCLA for a senior season or head to the NFL draft, hbut e’s yet to announce his decision for next year. NFL Mock Draft Database predicts Schwesinger as a 4th round selection, toting him as the 127th best-ranked player.

Schwesinger was a captain for this year’s Bruins team, having been with the program since 2021 but not making a single start until 2024, accumulating 163 total tackles over 38 games played. His Bruin career with Schwesinger joining the team as a walk-on before grinding his way to becoming an All-American.

UCLA football lands visit from Miami cornerback

The Bruins secured a visit from a former four-star recruit.

The UCLA Bruins have already had a busy off-season. With players entering the transfer portal to big changes at offensive coordinator, the Bruins are already in the process of building their team for 2025.

This week, University of Miami (FL) cornerback Robert Stafford announced on X that he will visit Westwood this month.

Stafford, a redshirt freshman, only recorded two tackles with the Hurricanes this season and has entered the transfer portal. A consensus four-star recruit in high school, Stafford will visit the University of Central Florida, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and UCLA before the end of the calendar year.

Though the Bruins’ 5-7 record in 2024 leaves much to be desired, UCLA’s defense was one of the top units in the Big Ten against the run and could use some help against the pass.

In the transfer portal and NIL era, where playing time and visibility reign supreme, UCLA offers Stafford an opportunity to play and learn under defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe, who helped make linebacker Carson Schwesinger a finalist for the Butkus Award.

Bruins linebacker wins UCLA Athletics’ Student-Athlete of the week

Another award!

Redshirt junior Carson Schwesinger was named UCLA Athletics’ Student-Athlete of the Week on Wednesday after his heroic performance on Saturday helping lead the Bruins to a win over Fresno State.

Schwesinger, a team captain, made 15 tackles, sacked the quarterback and blocked a punt for the Bruins in their 20-13 win. It was announced on Tuesday that Schwesinger was named first team All-Big Ten and late last month he was named a finalist for the Butkus Award.

The former walk-on had 136 tackles this season, with four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. In 38 career games with UCLA, Schwesinger has made 163 tackles. He’s the first Bruin with over 100 tackles in a season since 2018 when Adarius Pickett did it. Schwesinger joined the Bruins in 2021 and has yet to announce whether or not he’ll enter the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Schwesinger takes over for women’s basketball’s Lauren Betts as UCLA’s Student-Athlete of the Week. It’s Schwesinger’s second time earning the award having gotten it last month following his game against Nebraska. 

UCLA Bruins linebacker finalist for Butkus Award

The Bruins’ stud linebacker is a finalist for a big award.

Entering their first season in the Big Ten, questions swirled around the UCLA Bruins’ ability to play tough defense. One of their best players answered the call in 2024 and was named a finalist for one of college football’s most prestigious awards.

Redshirt junior captain and linebacker Carson Schewesinger was named a finalist for the Butkus Award. Named after one of the Big Ten’s best linebackers, Dick Butkus of Illinois, the award is given to the best linebacker in all of college football.

Joining Schewesinger on the finalist shot list are Barrett Carter of Clemson, Christ Paul Jr. of Mississippi, Danny Stusman of Oklahoma, and Jalon Walker of Georgia.

Schewesinger leads the nation in solo tackles with 79 and ranks third in total tackles with 121.

Given his lock-down tackling ability and chart-topping stats, Schewesinger boasts an impressive case for the Butkus Award, though the Bruins’ regular season woes could impact his ability to garner enough votes to win.

UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger wins Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award

The Bruins linebacker received his flowers after another impressive Big Ten performance.

The UCLA Bruins won their first game at the Rose Bowl this season, taking down Iowa 20-17. One Bruin had a career day on defense on Friday night, and the Big Ten noticed.

UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Hawkeye, per the Big Ten account.

Entering Friday night’s game, the junior had not recorded a single interception in his collegiate playing career with the Bruins. But against Iowa, Schwesinger had two.

Adding seven tackles to his pair of picks, Schwesinger continued to show out for the Bruins against a formidable Iowa run game.

Schwesinger’s 92 total tackles this season rank third in the Big Ten, making him one of the front-runners for the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. With three sacks and a forced fumble in 2024, Schwesinger is an impact player each and every week for the Bruins.

UCLA’s defense has been the backbone of its success this season, and Schwesinger has played an important part. With three games remaining on the schedule for the Bruins, Schwesinger looks to surpass the 100-tackle mark as the Bruins inch closer to bowl eligibility.