Chip Kelly reveals unique way UCLA has supported Adam Cohen after portal announcement

Earlier this week, UCLA linebacker Adam Cohen announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Despite that, he was still on the field with the Bruins as they wrapped up spring practice.

Head coach Chip Kelly said that’s part of the program’s plan to support Cohen as he looks for his next stop.

“He’s finishing out the spring,” Kelly told reporters Friday ahead of UCLA’s final spring practice. “Adam’s awesome. I love the kid. Played here, he’s going to graduate. He’s going in the transfer portal as a grad. I know he’s looking for a place to play for his last — I think he may have another year because of COVID. But he’s given us everything since he’s been here.”

Kelly and UCLA aren’t just extending that opportunity to Cohen, who played in five games over four years with the Bruins. He said that’s something any player can do if they decide to transfer. When someone comes to him and says they want to transfer, Kelly said he feels it’s appropriate to help those players as a thank you for everything they’ve done for the program — no matter how long they played.

Add in the fact that Cohen will be a graduate transfer, meaning he’ll have a degree from UCLA, and Kelly said he and the staff will do what they can to help him in the portal.

“It’s something we extend to everybody,” Kelly said. “If someone goes in the portal, we still want them. If they were a Bruin for a day or if they were a Bruin for four years, they’re a Bruin for life. So our job is to help Adam. I think he wanted to stay on and be a part of it.

“He’ll continue to lift and get strong until he leaves here in June with his degree. That’s the most important part for us. We offer it up to everybody. If you’re going to go int he portal, that’s great. We’ll help you to see if you can get to another spot. That’s part of our responsibility in coaching. He wanted to stay around. … That’s just common practice for us.”

Cohen worked largely with the scout team at UCLA, but totaled seven tackles and a tackle for loss in five appearances over his four years in Brentwood. He announced his plans to enter the portal earlier this week with two years of eligibility left.