Chip Kelly makes pitch to recruits during Famous Toastery Bowl halftime appearance

UCLA has a lot to look forward to. During halftime of the Famous Toastery Bowl, UCLA head coach Chip Kelly discussed the Bruins’ incoming class.

“We have a great group that’s committed right now,” Kelly said. “They fit the values and visions of this university. We want to make sure it’s still a transformative experience in these four years of college that can impact you for the rest of your life. That’s what this school can do. And that’s what we’re excited about with the guys we have committed right now.

“We have a special group here and it’s the No. 1 public institution in the country. We’re about two things here — we’re about books and ball. If you’re about books and ball, this is a great place. And it’s 70 degrees everyday.”

UCLA currently has the No. 54 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, according to On3 Industry Rankings. The group includes nine three-star prospects and two four-star recruits. Wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer and offensive lineman Mark Schroller highlight the class.

Gilmer was destined to be a Bruin. The highly-touted wideout was born in the UCLA Hospital while his mother went to school in Westwood. He chose UCLA over Michigan State, Oklahoma and Washington.

Gilmer isn’t the only keeping sticking to family tradition. Schroller’s father played offensive line for the Bruins. His mother also attended the university. Schroller chose UCLA over Arkansas, Auburn, Texas A&M, Stanford and Wisconsin.

UCLA rebuilding from its losses

UCLA needs all the pieces it can find. The program lost four-star athlete Derrick McFall and three-star OL Joshua Glanz in the past month. To make matters worse, the Bruins have suffered multiple blows in the transfer portal, most notably former five-star QB Dante Moore.

Despite the setback, Kelly is proud of his team and excited about the future of the program.

“We’ve had challenges. We’ve had challenges with adversity. We’ve had challenges with injuries,” Kelly said. “We don’t make excuses, nor do we let other people make excuses for us. This is life. I’m really proud of them. I’m really proud of how they responded. That’s what a competitor does.”

UCLA will only need to increase its competitiveness next season. In 2024, the Bruins will be joining the Big Ten. Kelly’s status with the program was in question in mid-November. However, after a win over USC in Week 12 and a bowl victory over Boise State, the 60-year-old head coach’s future seems secure.