UCLA RB Carson Steele declares for NFL draft

Running back Carson Steele became the fifth UCLA player to publicly declare for the NFL draft this offseason. Steele, who revealed his decision with a social media post on Wednesday, departs Westwood after just one season in Chip Kelly’s offense.

Steele rushed for 847 yards and six touchdowns on 167 carries. He also had 17 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He shared the running back workload with TJ Harden, among others.

Steele played in the first 12 games this season but had some of his least-productive games in the latter half of the season, scoring just one receiving touchdown during the final five games.

The junior transferred to Westwood for the 2023 season after spending the first two years of his career at Ball State.

Steele did not play in the L.A. Bowl and was not seen on the sidelines for the game. In the days leading up to the bowl game, UCLA’s associate head coach and running backs coach DeShaun Foster said Steele’s availability for the game was going to be left up to the training staff.

Harden is expected to return as the primary back next season after rushing for 827 yards and eight touchdowns on 156 carries.

Anthony Adkins is the only other running back on the roster with significant experience. He had 30 attempts for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive linemen Carl Jones Jr., Gabriel and Grayson Murphy join safety Jordan Anderson as the other Bruins to declare for the draft.

Edge rusher Laiatu Latu has not publicly declared for the NFL, but he is projected as a top-10 pick and is expected to depart.

Thank you pic.twitter.com/Xc7iguSiMM

— Carson Steele (@carsonsteele30) December 27, 2023