UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Another talented player has just revealed their intentions to transfer from their current home program. Thursday morning, UCLA Bruins Jay Toia announced that he plans to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal during the spring window.

“As I prepare to graduate from UCLA… After speaking with my parents and family, I decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal last night,” said Toia via X.

Despite winding up at UCLA, Toia originally committed to and enrolled at the campus of their crosstown rivals USC as a part of their 2021 recruiting class. However the massive coaching change for the Trojans resulted and defensive line coach Vic So’oto, who recruited Toia leaving the program. However he ended up and still remains at Cal.

In his three years at UCLA, Toia has played in 29 games, recording 66 total tackles, 38 solo, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble. During his last two seasons with the Bruins, the interior defensive lineman showcased just how dominant he can be in the trenches, which will certainly garner a significant amount of attention while in the transfer portal.

Toia played high school football at Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley, CA, where he was a four-star prospect. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, he was the No. 175 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle.

DeShaun Foster reveals three torn ACLs during UCLA’s spring practice

The news coming out of the Bruins’ spring practices as of late has been crushing, at best. Unfortunately, DeShaun Foster‘s first spring practice as the head coach at UCLA had a dark cloud looming over it after three players suffered torn ACL knee injuries in the span of two practices last week.

Following Tuesday’s practice Foster opened up about his injured players, showing some vulnerability after three of his guys went down with devastating non-contact injuries early in the offseason.

“Hudson Habermehl tore his ACL, Donavyn [Pellot] tore his ACL, Troy Leigber also tore his ACL. So it was three guys, unfortunate injuries, that’s why I was a little down,” Foster admitted.

“It’s very unfortunate, it’s just part of the game,” Foster said. “Football’s a very violent sport and your body takes a toll. ACLs are something that you can come back from, so I’m looking forward to these guys coming back and being 100 percent once they get back.”