DeShaun Foster identifies young UCLA players standing out

UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster is wrapping up his first spring offseason running the program. There is a lot for Foster to take in as this is his first collegiate head coaching opportunity. Needless to say, he is keeping a sharp eye out for what he’s seeing from his Bruins players this spring.

Recently, during a media availability, the UCLA head coach addressed a few topics surrounding his team in the spring. But Foster was also sure to take a moment to highlight the incoming freshmen who have made the biggest impact on the field since arriving on campus this offseason.

“Kwazi Gilmer has really made a huge impact. Troy Leigber was trending in the right direction, until his injury. Defensively, little [Jamir] Benjamin is playing well; the corner. [And] some of the portal guys but they’re not young guys. But Kwazi and Benjamin they’re very surprising; they’ve done a really good job out here,” said Foster.

Both Gilmer and Benjamin are two of the top recruits from UCLA’s 2024 recruiting class. GAIL Miller, a six-foot-one wide receiver who played high school football at Sierra Canyon in West Hills, CA, was a highly touted four-star recruit with a 91.4 rating in this cycle. Benjamin was a top-end three-star prospect with a rating of 88.7, making his way to Los Angeles, CA, from West Bloomfield, MI. And so far, both individuals are showing their new head coach why they were sought-after prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Foster reacts to Bruno Fina entering transfer portal

UCLA lost an offensive tackle on Tuesday, with Bruno Fina entering the NCAA transfer portal. A four-year player for the Bruins, losing your starting left tackle this late in the window has to hurt. Especially when making the move into the Big Ten and facing some more physical defensive linemen.

Head coach DeShaun Foster was asked about Fina leaving, being supportive of the player. There was seemingly a conversation between the two before the move became official.

“He told me he wanted to hit the portal,” Foster said. “Good player. I support him.”

Fina played in all 13 games last season for UCLA with all of them being at left tackle. The prior three years had not resulted in a ton of action, seeing just three games. UCLA had to be hoping for a breakout season from Fina heading the 2023 campaign and got it.