Tag: UCLA bruins recruiting

UCLA makes offer to son of former NFL running back Clinton Portis

The Bruins gave an offer to the son of Clinton Portis.

A potential trend is starting to emerge for UCLA’s recruiting.

After signing former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselback’s son Henry in December of 2023, the Bruins offered another prospect with an NFL bloodline.

Former rookie of the year and two-time Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis and his son stopped by Westwood this week, and their timing could not have been better.

Camden Portis, a potential two-way player from Indian Land High School in South Carolina, received an offer from the Bruins on March 4th. Portis, who played both defensive back and wide receiver, flaunts impressive athletic ability and versatility.

Though programs often prefer to recruit players with set positions, Portis has time to develop his skills in one way or another before his 2026 graduation.

Two-way players do exist in college football, however.

Travis Hunter, the Colorado Buffalos’ Paul Hornung award winner, given to the NCAA D-1 athlete with the most versatility, turned heads during his 2023 season. Though Hunter is a uniquely talented athlete, he could be the first of many two-way players in college football.

Could Camdin Portis be the next one for the Bruins?

UCLA hosts another 2026 defensive back prospect

The Class of 2026 players are making their way to UCLA.

The busy offseason for the UCLA Bruins continues, between recruiting and changes in the coaching staff. Now, the Bruins are hosting a potential defensive back for a visit.

Santa Margarita Catholic cornerback Jayden Crowder is set to visit the Bruins on Friday. Receiving offers from fellow BIG 10 programs, Washington and Michigan State, a good visit in Westwood for Crowder could help the Bruins rise on his list. Crowder, a California native, was invited to the Rivals Camp Series in Los Angeles last season.

Garnering the attention of high-end programs and clinics, Crowder, though a bit undersized, still has time to grow and develop into the player the programs hope he can be before graduating in 2026.

Crowder’s visit marks the second visit for a prospective defensive back that the Bruins have brought in after Chase Coleman, indicating that planning their future in the secondary is a priority.

Bringing Crowder to the program, whose tape shows him to be a ball-hawking zone corner and willing tackler, could lay the foundation for a great Bruins defense down the road, shutting down fellow BIG 10 offenses.

Class of 2025 defensive back announces visit to UCLA

The visits keep coming for DeShaun Foster and his program.

The UCLA Bruins landed a visit with one of the top all-around athletes in the country.

Chase Coleman, of Frisco, Texas, is a standout cornerback, track star, and basketball player. In early April, the college football hopeful will visit Westwood.

Coleman, the 6′ 3″ defensive back, boasts above-average size and ability. His tape shows him doing it all for Frisco Memorial High School throughout his junior season. Recording two interceptions, eight pass breakups, four blocked field goals, and a defensive touchdown, Coleman is a dynamic and versatile defender. Playing boundary corner, at his size, Coleman’s athleticism and playmaking skills make him a potential steal for the Bruins if they can land him as a prospect.

Visting from April 3rd to 6th, a good visit with new head coach DeShaun Foster could be huge in bringing in an undersung talent. A first-team all-district player in 2023, Coleman proves to be one of the best corners coming out of the Lone Star State.

The Bruins ranked 61st in passing yards allowed per game in 2023, in the middle of the pack. With room for improvement on their stellar defense last season, having a lockdown corner on the outside in the future like Coleman could secure the boundary for the Bruins for seasons to come.

UCLA makes offer to 3-star DL Trajen Odom

UCLA keeps extending offers after DeShaun Foster became the head coach.

The offers keep coming for the UCLA Bruins.

As winter turns to spring, UCLA is still hard at work trying to build their roster for the future.

This week, the Bruins extended an offer to three-start recruit Trajen Odom, per Tracy McDannald of Rivals (subscription required).

‘The Bruins and the assistant coaching staff continued to do just that Wednesday with an offer to Cary (N.C.) Weddington three-star edge rusher Trajen Odom…Odom is one of five out-of-state recruits this week to pick up an offer from the UCLA staff.’

The 6′ 5″, 265 lb defensive lineman from Cary, North Carolina, received a boatload of offers from schools such as North Carolina, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and Ohio State.

At Panther Creek High School, Odom’s tape shows him plugging lanes and utilizing a lethal swim move at the line of scrimmage. With good pursuing speed and an ability to find the ball carrier in the backfield, any team in college football would want a player with his skillset and athleticism.

Given the other blue-blue programs that have made offers to Odom, the Bruins’ odds of landing him seem slim. However, it all comes down to fit.

With NIL considerations and playing time always a factor, joining a UCLA team that graduated several defensive linemen could pose a compelling opportunity for the junior.

Signing day is nearly a year away, but by laying the groundwork to land a player like Odom now, the Bruins keep themselves in the mix.

UCLA offers four-star quarterback Jared Curtis

UCLA offers four-star QB Jared Curtis.

The search for the future quarterback of the UCLA Bruins continues. This week, the Bruins made an offer to a four-star signal-caller.

Jared Curtis of Nashville Christian High School in Tennessee has received offers from all over the country. From Power-Five schools like Alabama, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, and Texas A&M, Curtis looks to be a hot commodity for college programs.

Ranked #1 in his class already, the rising junior from Nashville flaunts a college-ready build at 6′ 4″, 225 lbs, and an impressive athletic arsenal. With good pocket awareness, Curtis makes impressive plays on the ground and through the air. Given the need for athletic quarterbacks in today’s college game, Curtis’ dual-threat capabilities should translate quite well at the next level.

There will certainly be a bidding war for Curtis before he decides which program to attend. But if the Bruins this season can show improvement and make themselves an attractive destination in the BIG 10, they have the opportunity to entice Curtis and similar recruits. It puts a lot of pressure on first-year head coach DeShaun Foster.

The question is whether or not he delivers.

UCLA recruit Jensen Somerville staying after DeShaun Foster hire

UCLA Bruins 3-star OT commit Jensen Somerville decided to stay after the program hired DeShaun Foster as its new head coach.

A lot has gone on over the last couple of weeks in Westwood for the UCLA Bruins football program.

From Chip Kelly’s departure to DeShaun Foster’s return, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the team. But not to get lost in the shuffle is UCLA’s most important need: players. After Foster was hired, it was up in the air regarding the current recruit commitments and whether or not they would stay.

Jensen Somerville, a 6′ 7″ left tackle out of Lehi, Utah, has committed to play for the Bruins. The massive left tackle was a three-star recruit coming out of high school whose tape shows him dominating opposing ends and finishing every single play. With an ability to contribute in the run game and protect the quarterback’s blindside, if developed, Somerville could be a three-star steal.

But, Somerville made his feelings known on X with a social media post:

In the Bruins’ social media post announcing his commitment, Somerville stated that he is excited to “bring my talents to LA and be a part of the great academic and athletic tradition of UCLA.”

With former running backs coach DeShaun Foster now the new head coach, an emphasis could continue to be placed on the running game in Westwood. If so, Somerville could be a big part of that for year’s to come.