UCLA football continues to reshape offensive line
LOS ANGELES — UCLA coach Chip Kelly continues to figure out what he’ll have on an offensive line that will be asked to protect a new starting quarterback and a talented backfield.
Kelly and his staff put an emphasis on recruiting throughout the offseason to try to help replenish the line, after losing at least two linemen to the NFL for a second consecutive year.
Guards Jon Gaines II and Atonio Mafi were drafted to NFL teams Saturday. Raiqwon O’Neal, who started 13 games at left tackle, will also continue to pursue a professional career as an undrafted free agent.
Right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio and center Duke Clemens are the only returning starters for the Bruins.
Purdue transfer Spencer Holstege and College of the Sequoias transfer Caleb Walker enrolled early and have already started getting familiar with the Bruins’ playbook.
DiGiorgio and Holstege have missed several practices due to undisclosed injuries but were able to participate during a full-padded practice Wednesday.
“They’re all working hard to get back quickly and did a really good job in the rehab aspect of things,” Kelly said. “There’s nothing long-term with those guys.”
Kelly has remained positive by viewing the injuries as an opportunity for others to get more reps.
“I think everyone is taking advantage of their opportunities when they get them,” Kelly said. “You can see guys like Jaylan Jeffers and Bruno Fina that are really progressing.”
Fina was working as a left tackle with the starting unit while Josh Carlin and Benjamin Roy Jr. were seen working at guard. Roy could also continue to serve as a backup center.
The offensive line has been challenged throughout the spring by UCLA’s defensive line, which is one of the program’s strongest units.
Jake Wiley is expected to add some experience to the offensive line when he arrives for training camp after announcing his commitment to the Bruins last week. Wiley was one of the 42 scholarship players to transfer out of Colorado last month after Deion Sanders was hired as the head coach in December.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Wiley, who will be a junior, started 22 of 30 games at Colorado and has the ability to play guard and tackle.
UCLA offensive analyst Darrin Chiaverini will serve as a familiar face for Wiley. Chiaverini had multiple roles during his recent Colorado tenure and was listed on 247sports.com as the primary recruiter for Wiley coming out of high school.
Old Dominion transfer Khadere Kounta and incoming freshman of Tavake Tuikolovatu of Summit High in Fontana are also expected to arrive for camp. Kounta started 27 of 33 games at ODU, playing 26 of those games at left tackle.
Siale Taupaki, who has played in nine games over the past four seasons for the Bruins, remains limited to individual workouts during practice.
ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL
The offensive line looks promising beyond this season, with two tackles already committed to the class of 2024.
Joshua Glanz of Eastlake High in Chula Vista committed to the Bruins in January. Mission Viejo’s Mark Schroller committed to the Bruins last week.
Both are listed as three-star prospects by 247sports and will take official visits to UCLA on Friday as the Bruins close out spring ball.
The Bruins are expected to host several other prospects, including cornerback Marcelles Williams (St. John Bosco) and linebackers Dylan Williams (Long Beach Poly) and Brayden Platt (Yelm High in Yelm, Washington).
IN THE PORTAL
UCLA linebacker Adam Cohen has decided to enter the transfer portal, according to his post on social media Tuesday.
He recorded six tackles in eight games played over the past three seasons. Cohen was also the Bruins’ Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2021.
Cohen will enter the portal as a grad transfer with two years of eligibility remaining. Despite his decision, he still was a full participant at practice Wednesday.