UNLV offensive line transfer Alani Makihele commits to UCLA

UNLV offensive lineman Alani Makihele has committed to UCLA out of the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on his Twitter account on Sunday afternoon.

Makihele spent the last four years with the Rebels, slowly emerging as a contributor along the line.

During his first two years on campus, Makihele failed to appear in a game, taking a redshirt for the 2020 season before being inactive in 2021.

He then played in six games in 2022 to earn his first letter, before playing in all 13 games for UNLV during the 2023 season. He should instantly provide some help for the Bruins along the interior of the offensive line.

At 6 foot 3, 350 pounds, Makihele has good size to be able to anchor in the middle. He’s also a bit of a rarity; he hails from Anchorage, Alaska.

Prior to enrolling at UNLV, Alani Makihele was a three-star recruit and the No. 1,965 overall prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checked in as the No. 130 interior offensive lineman in the class and the No. 1 overall player from the state of Alaska, hailing from Anchorage (AK) West.

UCLA lands another offensive lineman

Louisville offensive lineman Reuben Unije has found his new home after entering the transfer portal in mid-April. Unije has committed to UCLA for the 2024 season, he announced via social media on Saturday.

The Florida native started 11 games for Houston in 2023 before transferring to Louisville in January. He then entered the portal once again before ever playing a game for the Cardinals.

Reuben Unije originally signed with Illinois in the class of 2018, before attending Coahoma (Miss.) Junior College.

He ended up coming to Houston ahead of the 2020 season and was an immediate contributor. That season, Unije appeared in seven games, while starting the final six games of the season at left tackle. He did not allow a sack in 264 opportunities.

In the 2021 season, Unije only appeared in one game. Unije then appeared in seven games in 2022, making two starts, both at right tackle.

This past season, Reuben Unije moved into a permanent starting role, before entering the transfer portal.