That began to change after the first week of spring camp with the Bruins seeing two prominent players enter the transfer portal.

Choé Bryant-Strother was the latest Bruin to enter the transfer portal, just days removed from backup quarterback Collin Schlee making a similar decision.

Bryant-Strother, who is expected to enter the portal as a graduate transfer, spent time as an inside linebacker and an edge rusher last season.

He was seen working with the first-team defense last week. Bryant-Strother was expected to continue competing for a starting role on the defensive line, following the departure of edge rushers including Laiatu Latu and Gabriel and Grayson Murphy.

Bryant-Strother had 38 tackles (four for a loss), a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 32 games played since 2020.

Foster did confirm that the Bruins will strongly consider searching the portal to help bolster depth at edge rusher when the spring window opens from April 15-30.

Junior Devin Aupiu and Navy transfer Jacob Busic worked with the first-team defense on Tuesday.

“I’m excited for the guys that we have,” Foster said. “Busic and Devin Aupiu are guys that want to be here. … They follow the rules and I’m excited for them.”

Busic’s arrival in Westwood briefly reunited him with former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, before he was hired as San Jose State’s head coach.

Busic spent four years with the Midshipmen and was a captain this past season. He was denied a fifth year of eligibility at Navy, which led to his decision to enter the transfer portal. He had 62 tackles (15 for a loss), nine sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 28 games played.

Aupiu is making the transition from having played more as an inside linebacker but there’s a belief that he could be a good fit along the defensive front line.

“He’s a big athlete,” Foster said of Aupiu. “That’s what spring is. Let’s see what guys can do and what they can’t do.”

Aupiu played in 16 games since 2021 after transferring in from Notre Dame.

John Hopkins transfer Luke Schuermann is expected to join the program during the summer. Miami transfer Collins Acheampong arrived ahead of spring but has been limited to individual conditioning.

Scholarship earned!

Congrats, @clark_kanye! #DoMore pic.twitter.com/SwDYu4FFOv

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) April 9, 2024

SURPRISE REWARD

Defensive back Kanye Clark was awarded a scholarship by Foster. UCLA football’s X (formally Twitter) account posted a video showing Foster evaluating an interception the defensive back made on a pass intended for receiver Ezavier Staples during practice.

Foster called Clark to come down and stand in front of the team before telling him that his interception helped earn him his scholarship and he was quickly embraced by his teammates to celebrate the news.

“Just the way he played all last year as a freshman and the way he’s come into camp and how he looked in the winter,” Foster said about the Clark. “He has a hard hat mentality and is a blue-collar guy. I just appreciate how he went about things and I just wanted to reward him.”

SUDDEN DEPARTURE

Foster also confirmed that long snapper Ryan Wilkins would not join the UCLA program despite accepting a scholarship offer from Kelly’s staff in January.

Wilkins posted on X that he received a phone call informing him that he would no longer be with the team following the coaching change. Wilkins, who transferred from Elon, has re-entered the transfer portal.

“We are just going in a different direction,” Foster said. “As a head coach, I have a right to go in a different direction in certain situations and that’s one of them.”

Marcus MacNeal, Trent Middleton and Salem Abdul-Wahab are the three returning long snappers from last season listed on the spring roster.

Starting long snapper Beau Gardner transferred to Georgia.

The defense grabbed four interceptions during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills and forced even more incomplete passes through pressure and pass breakups. There was toned-down contact, but it still produced an audible sound of pads cracking.

“Practice has gotten more physical,” defensive lineman Keanu Williams told reporters. “We needed that. I’m glad to implement it. We’re going into a big conference, we’ve got to play against some big dudes. So we’ve got to be a little bit more physical than we were before.”

Saturday’s practice began with physicality. The entire team huddled and, at the center of the mass, there was a one-on-one shoving match. Select players were predetermined at a team meeting prior to practice to go up against each other to see who could – literally – push the other harder and across a line.

Linebacker Kain Medrano took on running back TJ Harden. Medrano, with a smile, reluctantly admitted to reporters that TJ won.

“It’s just something to get the energy going early at practice,” Medrano said. “Something light just to get the energy going, nothing too hard on the body.”

Ikaika Malloe is in his first season in the dual role of defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. He’s keeping the defense similar to last season, according to head coach DeShaun Foster and Medrano, aside from some terminology changes.

The defense has to adjust to the Bruins’ new NFL-style offense, which offers longer breaks in between plays.

“That gives the defense a little time to catch their breath,” Medrano said. “So for the defense, it’s max out every play because you’ve got that six, seven seconds right in between each play to catch your breath, realign and go from there.”

Linebacker and current freshman Ty Lee intercepted Luke Duncan during a 7-on-7 drill and early enrollee Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins picked off Justyn Martin in an 11-on-11 drill. Transfer Ramon Henderson, who previously played at Notre Dame, picked two passes from Ethan Garbers in two separate 11-on-11 periods.

“That’s a great day,” Williams said of Henderson. “He’s balling. It’s been a collective effort on the back end. Everybody’s in their cover spots, everybody’s where they’re supposed to be.”

Schlee enters transfer portal

Quarterback Collin Schlee entered the transfer portal Thursday, Foster confirmed.

“I think he wants to be closer to home,” Foster said. “I love Collin, he had a great season for us last season. We’d love to have him stay, but I completely understand. Being across the United States is difficult for some kids.”

The remaining quarterbacks on UCLA’s spring roster are Ethan Garbers, Justyn Martin, Chase Griffin and Luke Duncan. Garbers has been receiving the majority of first-team repetitions at spring practices so far, although Justyn Martin pinpointed a few passes through tight windows Saturday.

Foster did not indicate if he would seek another quarterback in the transfer portal.

“(We have) nine days to see if we want to address that,” Foster said. “But I’m excited about the room, it’s a deep QB room. It gives other guys some reps and I’m excited to see if they’re ready to play.”

The Bruins (14-13) were in first place by a 0.325 margin after the first rotation before their lead began to slowly diminish with each passing rotation. UCLA scored in the low 49s on the vault (49.150) and the uneven bars (49.075) before closing with a 49.250 on the balance beam that was not enough to remain in the top two.

UCLA had a strong start to its competition, scoring 49.575 on floor exercise in rotation one. The Bruins were led by a trio of 9.95 scorers – Brooklyn Moors, Nya Reed and Chae Campbell – with Reed and Campbell each earning a perfect 10 from one of the four judges. Selena Harris contributed a 9.875, Emma Andres scored 9.850 in the leadoff position, and Margzetta Frazier added a 9.800. The Bruins’ strong start gave them a 0.325 lead over second-place ASU and a .450 lead over third-place Washington.

ASU cut into UCLA’s lead in the second rotation after the Bruins were unable to break 9.900 on any vault. UCLA’s 49.150 was led by Emily Lee’s leadoff 9.875. Campbell scored 9.850, Katelyn Rosen scored 9.825, and Reed and Harris scored 9.800. The Sun Devils scored 49.375 on floor to move to within one-tenth of a point of the Bruins. Denver moved up to third place with a 49.250 on the uneven bars.

The Bruins had more difficulties on the bars, scoring just 49.075 and dropping into second place, .025 behind ASU. Campbell led off with a 9.825, and Emma Malabuyo tied her career-high with a 9.900, expertly sticking her full-twisting double back dismount. After a fall by Rosen, her first of her career, Frazier fought for a 9.725, and Frida Esparza added a 9.775. Harris needed to hit to keep the Bruins in second place, and the sophomore delivered with a 9.850.

Going into the final rotation, the Bruins were just one-tenth ahead of third-place Denver and three-tenths ahead of fourth-place Washington, but some uncharacteristic wobbles made it difficult for the Bruins. Campbell, who replaced Rosen in the lineup, hit an important 9.850 in the second spot after a low leadoff score. Sophomore Ciena Alipio, who had been waiting all meet to compete, tied her career-high with a 9.925, and Harris hit a huge 9.950. However, after the Bruins scored just 9.775 in the anchor spot and ASU hit its last uneven bars routine, the Sun Devils were able to hold on for the No. 2 spot, while Denver surpassed both teams with a 49.575 on floor exercise.

UCLA was awaiting the final results from Friday’s second session to see if any individuals would qualify for the NCAA Championships.

The redshirt junior was listed on the Bruins’ spring roster but did not attend the first two public practices this week. Schlee becomes just the second player, along with receiver Kyle Ford, to enter the portal since DeShaun Foster was hired as head coach on Feb. 12.

Schlee transferred in from Kent State and helped form a crowded quarterback room for the 2023 season that featured Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore.

Schlee shared time with the other two quarterbacks and had two starts. His second start was in the L.A. Bowl against Boise State but he only played the first half after suffering an injury before halftime.

Coach Chip Kelly had used Schlee as a running option, and he was the Bruins’ third-leading rusher with 425 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries in seven games played.

He completed just 25 of 47 passes for 217 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Garbers, Justyn Martin, Chase Griffin and Luke Duncan are the only remaining quarterbacks on scholarship listed on the spring roster. Incoming freshmen Henry Hasselbeck and Karson Gordon will join the Bruins for training camp.

Garbers has taken first-team reps to start the week. He completed 98 of 146 passes for 1,136 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2023.

Martin has served as second-team quarterback this week.

LOS ANGELES — It’s fairly easy to find UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy during practice. Just listen.

Bieniemy, one of multiple new coaches on the staff this season, is one of the most vocal staff members of any kind on the field. His words were loud, commanding and included expletives at times during the third day of spring football practice Thursday afternoon.

But when he spoke with reporters after, he appeared cool and clear-headed. His words were soft and slow.

“You have to learn how to develop your consistent habits,” Bieniemy said. “Every day they get these guys to go step out here, there’s gonna be some everyday drills that they’re required to do. There’s some everyday drills that they need to do to help them to become the best student. Those consistent habits that help carry them over in life.”

Bieniemy spoke of consistency and assessment on Thursday without giving away much information on how the Bruins’ offense might look this season.

He said he envisions the offense as a diverse one and is using this time to evaluate what each player can do and how they might fit into different roles. The dialogue between Bieniemy and first-year head coach DeShaun Foster has been an open one when it comes to designing the offense.

“It’s all-inclusive,” Bieniemy said. “When it’s all said and done with, it’s our offense. I want this to be ours. Yes, I have a ton of ideas. I have a ton of plays. But I want this to be ours. We’re a new coaching staff, so we have to build it together.”

UCLA, which went 8-5 last season, ran 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 drills in increments of 12- and 15-minute periods during Thursday’s practice. Ethan Garbers, currently a redshirt junior, received most of the first-team reps at quarterback and Justyn Martin took reps with the second team.

Martin, a redshirt freshman, appeared in two games in the 2023 season. Freshman Luke Duncan appeared to be third string and senior Chase Griffin was fourth.

“We got a lot of competition in that room,” Bieniemy said. “There’s been some good, there’s been some bad, there’s been some ugly from all of them, but it’s still early. I’m not expecting us to come out and set the world on fire. What I want us to do is learn how to put consistent behavior on tape.”

Garbers looked at his best at the end of the 12th period of practice when he completed a short pass to Braden Pegan and a long pass to Moliki Matavao. However, he also threw four incomplete passes earlier in the same period.

Martin was fairly consistent with his completions, aside from one interception, and was the only quarterback to run the ball during media viewing. Keegan Jones, Anthony Adkins, Josiah Gonzales and TJ Harden were the main ball carriers.

The offense was operating at a noticeably slower pace than during previous seasons’ spring practices. Bieniemy served as UCLA’s running backs coach from 2003-05 as part of his 23-year coaching career and has spent 16 of the last 18 years in the NFL.

He told reporters that teaching is critical at both levels, and a lot of learning is going on at practice right now.

“You’ve got to make sure that you’re reaching your guys in the room,” he said. “Everybody accepts or retains information differently. That’s our job as position coaches and coordinators to figure that out. We’ve just got to make sure we’re putting the right people in the right place to be successful.”

Resting minds and bodies was a priority the past two weeks, which included spring break, but blue and gold challenges allowed the gymnasts to compete against each other and keep spirits up.

“At least once or twice a week, we warm up with volleyball and it gets so intense,” freshman Katelyn Rosen said. “Sometimes there’s screaming matches, but when we get in the huddle for practice that day, we always say let’s keep that competitive energy and attack our gymnastics with that same intensity.”

Eleventh-seeded UCLA (13-11) will travel to Cal’s Haas Pavilion to compete in the California Regional Second Round’s first session Friday at 1 p.m. against No. 6 seed Denver, Arizona State and Washington.

The second session will feature No. 3 seed Cal, No. 14 seed Auburn, Stanford and the winner of Thursday’s dual meet between Southern Utah and San Jose State.

The two top finishers from each session will move on to the regional finals, which are slated for Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Bruins’ first event of the meet will be floor exercise. They’ll move to vault and uneven bars after that and finally, balance beam. UCLA is used to finishing meets on the floor, an event in which the Bruins are ranked sixth nationally, but the gymnasts are embracing the change of schedule.

“It’s a little weird, I’m not gonna lie, to start on floor,” senior Chae Campbell told reporters Wednesday. “It feels like it’s a finale for our team. But one thing about us is we’re going to be adaptable. We’re gonna have our floor party first and keep that momentum going.”

UCLA enters the competition carrying momentum. The Bruins are finally settled into their lineups after a series of shakeups due to injuries this season and are coming off a second-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships with a score of 197.875.

Selena Harris became the 21st gymnast in program history to earn Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year recognition and also won the all-around at the Pac-12 championships. She’s notched four perfect 10s in her sophomore season.

Campbell and Nya Reed were named All-Pac-12 first team on vault and floor, respectively. Three more gymnasts earned honorable mention nods: Rosen (all-around), Emma Malabuyo (beam) and Brooklyn Moors (floor).

The Bruins have practiced holding each other accountable while focusing on minute details throughout practice this week, like holding finishes.

“It really does take a full team effort every single day in and out of the gym to be able to hold each other accountable to be the championship team that we want to be,” UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said.

The Bruins are also happy to be traveling within the state of California as it goes for their 25th NCAA regional title.

“The Cal Regional is exactly what we wanted,” Rosen said. “It’s a shorter flight time so our bodies won’t be as tight or sore. We’re really happy with where we’re going.”

The win-or-go-home stakes of the NCAA postseason have been softened by the valuable recovery time UCLA has received the past two weeks, in addition to the guidance from upperclassmen like Campbell and graduate students Reed and Margzetta Frazier.

“We’re not focusing on the added pressure,” Rosen said. “That’s something the seniors talked about. It’s the same sport, it’s the same team. We’re just gonna do what we love and love what we do.”

No. 11 seed UCLA (13-11) at NCAA California Regional Second Round

When: Friday, 1 p.m.

Where: Haas Pavilion, Berkeley

TV: ESPN+

And he plucked him from right across town.

On Thursday morning, USC transfer Kobe Johnson announced his commitment to UCLA, a fairly quick two weeks after he’d entered the transfer portal. It’s a big-time get for the Bruins as they look to retool, as Johnson was unquestionably one of the most proven players in the portal, a captain for USC who was a back-to-back mainstay on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. And Cronin is well-familiar with Johnson, whose performance most recently in late February – 10 points, 2 for 2 from 3-point range and four steals in the kind of do-everything role he’s best suited for – helped USC to a victory over the Bruins.

Suddenly, UCLA has added two plug-and-play starters in the transfer portal in the span of two days. On Wednesday night, 6-foot-3 Louisville sophomore transfer Skyy Clark announced his commitment to UCLA, a sparkplug scoring guard originally from Los Angeles who has gone through a carousel of teams in his basketball career.

“Home is where the heart is!! #MickisthePick,” Clark announced on social media.

In the worst season in Cronin’s tenure, UCLA’s flaws in roster construction were readily apparent, and the coach rarely minced words when discussing them. This was a gritty, young group, but one massively light on shooting and perimeter playmaking before the late-season emergence of Dylan Andrews. They lacked a consistent defensive stopper, too, to throw at opposing top-scoring wings. And they needed a consistent leader, a group of underclassmen and transfers thrown together in a strange mix.

“I feel like a fifth-grade teacher at times,” Cronin said after a January victory over USC. “‘Everybody listen! Hold hands, so we’re all listening during the scouting report, during the walk-through!’ It’s just life, with inexperienced guys.”

Johnson checks every box, a 6-6 stat-sheet stuffer who is best suited for a complementary offensive role and brings a captain’s experience to Westwood. His arrival immediately gives UCLA a weapon to throw at top scorers in the Big Ten, and a steady hand who can make a catch-and-shoot 3-point shot and pick up secondary ballhandling duties (3.3 assists per game last year). After extended offensive struggles midseason that led to his benching, Johnson thrived upon a re-insertion into the starting lineup for the last nine games of USC’s season, averaging 12.4 points a game, 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game while shooting 41.2% from deep.

“I see myself being the defensive guy, in the NBA,” Johnson told the Southern California News Group in October. “I see myself guarding the best players every night, each and every night, coming out there and being able to help the team win. That’s where my head is at. I’m not going to try to come in and do stuff that I’m not used to, or trying to do anything out of my comfort zone.”

And his goal, as expressed in that October conversation, was to enter the draft after his junior season at USC. But after both spurts of team-wide and individual struggles – shooting just 40.4% from the field as a junior – Johnson announced he’d enter into the NBA draft and the transfer portal in late March. And the outcome, a captain joining a rival as both schools enter the Big Ten, is a tough blow for USC as it searches for a new coach in the wake of Andy Enfield’s departure for SMU.

Clark, too, addresses an instant need for UCLA, offering shooting (35.3% from 3-point range on 4.6 attempts per game at Louisville) and perimeter shot-creation (13.2 points per game). His fit next to Andrews, however, will be a puzzle for Cronin, Clark a high-turnover playmaker not particularly known for his defense.

All in all, it’s a banner week for UCLA, whose potential starting lineup – Andrews, Clark, Johnson, Lazar Stefanovic and Adem Bona – suddenly looks ripe with scoring and playmaking threats entering the Big Ten.

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  UCLA quarterbacks coach Ted White (left) and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (middle) run a drill during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Head Coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  DeShaun Foster, UCLA’s new head coach, leads football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Cornerbacks coach Kodi Whitfield speaks to his players during UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Head Coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Head Coach DeShaun Foster greets James Washington after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Logan Loya speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  DeShaun Foster, UCLA’s new head coach, right, leads football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Head Coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (middle) and quarterbacks Ted White (right) run a drill during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (middle) and quarterbacks Ted White (right) run a drill during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy runs a drill during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA quarterbacks coach Ted White (middle) and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (right) run a drill during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Devanti Dillard (35) reaches for the ball during UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Rico Flores Jr. (1) makes the catch during UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster and Athletic Director Martin Jarmond attend football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA quarterbacks coach Ted White runs a drill as quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) throws the ball during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA quarterbacks coach Ted White runs a drill with quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster and Athletic Director Martin Jarmond attend football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster and Athletic Director Martin Jarmond attend football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) throws the ball during UCLA football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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  Logan Loya speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

LOS ANGELES — After the first few months of DeShaun Foster’s tenure as UCLA head coach were spent learning and taking care of his off-the-field responsibilities, the Bruins were on the field for their first public spring practice on Tuesday.

The first-year coach is “excited” with what he has seen early on from the offense, that features several returning playmakers working with a new coaching staff.

Foster didn’t want to overload his players early with the new playbook, under offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, but they’re already “trending in the right direction” with how quickly they’re absorbing information coming back from spring break.

“Everyone is super excited in the building,” receiver Logan Loya said. “It’s a brand new offense and everyone is starting from the ground up. It’s just the basics right now.”

Bienemy was a notable figure at practice with how vocal he was during team drills.

“I just love his energy” Foster said of Bienemy. “My first pillar is discipline, and you’re going to hear that out here. I’m excited about that. He’s getting the guys going, holding them to a standard that they want to be held to. And I think that’s going to help us get to where we want to go.”

Bienemy was even heard asking for running back T.J. Harden to show more effort.

Harden had 156 carries for 827 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.

Harden is expected to share the workload out of the back field along with Keegan Jones, who returned to the program for a sixth year.

Jones entered the transfer portal in January and committed to Connecticut, which is led by former UCLA head coach Jim Mora, before deciding to return to Westwood.

Foster mentioned that it was his priority to have Jones come back and put an emphasis on playing at running back after being moved over to receiver last year by Chip Kelly.

“That was huge,” Foster said. “Before I left for the Raiders, that was my number one goal – make sure I get Keegan back as a running back in this offense. His explosive plays to touches is unmatched, so it’s just somebody that, you know, we can use in this offense.”

Jones was seen getting repetitions with the first-team offense led by quarterback Ethan Garbers.

Garbers is expected to start at quarterback but Foster wants the offseason to play out before officially naming starters at various positions.

“He’s taking the first reps right now, but it’s still open,” Foster said. “All positions are open right now. We want to have everybody work to a common goal and try to put your best foot forward and then we’ll get into the depth.”

INJURY REPORT

Quarterback Collin Schlee is among the quarterbacks who will compete for the starting role.

Schlee was unavailable and not seen at practice but Foster said Schlee could return later in the week.

Schlee was last seen playing out the first half of the LA Bowl in Decemeber before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury.

Running back DeShun Murrell was officially ruled out for spring camp as he recovers from a second ACL tear. Foster wouldn’t completely rule Murrell out for the season saying “he’s running in a straight line, and his body looks good. We’re kind of just taking it slow for him, coming off his second, back-to-back, just to make sure that he can get back.”

Offensive lineman Benjamin Roy Jr. did not practice due to a back injury but was spotted off to the side participating in an individual conditioning workout.

The room was glum but not tearful. Although a Final Four appearance continues to elude the Bruins, there’s a good chance they’ll make another run at it next season with the involvement of Betts, Jones and the rest of their classmates.

“My job this offseason is to figure out how we can earn more,” Close told reporters. “I think that has to be our next step, and we have to be able to. No excuses. We’ve got to find ways to adjust, to pivot, to overcome, to conquer in relentless pursuit of the excellence that we’re going for.”

Close could make her next move with the support of most of this season’s roster. Guards Charisma Osborne, who is slated to begin a professional career after being an all-around force in five decorated seasons at UCLA, and Camryn Brown have used up their eligibility, but a loaded sophomore class will likely return in full force.

That includes the post presence of the 6-foot-7 Betts, the leadership of Kiki Rice, the silky 3-point shooting of Jones, the competitiveness of Gabriela Jaquez, the defensive potential of Lina Sontag and the forcefulness of Christine Iwuala. It became common to see four sophomores on the court at a time this season.

Angela Dugalić and Emily Bessoir, a pair of 6-4 seniors, have a year of eligibility left. Dugalić averaged 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season. Bessoir was one of the best shooters on the team last year, at 9.4 points per game and with a .413 field goal percentage, but was sorely missed after suffering a season-ending knee injury in December.

Both could return to UCLA, which finished 27-7 this season, to fill the experienced veteran roles that will be vacant when Brown and Osborne are gone.

“I think their leadership and who they are off the court – you definitely have a sister in them,” Jones said of Brown and Osborne. “We’re really disappointed and we wanted this for them, but looking forward to amazing things they’re going to do because of the people that they are.”

UCLA relied on its sophomores against LSU on Saturday in a 78-69 loss. The Bruins struggled to make 3-point shots at the start of the game and were 0 for 8 from behind the arc in the first quarter and 2 for 17 in the first half.

They went into halftime trailing by seven points, but Jones found her rhythm to create a scoring run and keep UCLA in the game. The Bruins held the Tigers to 14 points in the third quarter, but gave up 30 points in the final frame.

The top-scoring players in the game were all sophomores. Betts had a double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds and was named to the NCAA Tournament Albany 2 All-Regional team. Jones and Jaquez each scored 14 points and Rice added 13 points despite fouling out late in the game.

Close was cautiously optimistic about the group of returners after the loss.

“Yes, we have really a great young team, but we talk all the time about in these games that defense and rebounding,” she said. “I thought we rebounded pretty well, but we allowed 30 points in the fourth quarter. It’s going to be tough.”

UCLA has high-level incoming talent. The 2024 recruiting class was ranked second nationally by ESPN in early November and includes three five-star recruits in Avary Cain, Kendall Dudley and Zania Socka as well as Finnish international player Elina Aarnisalo.

Dudley, a 6-2 wing, and Socka, a 6-3 forward, come from Sidwell Friends School – the same Washington, D.C., prep program that produced Rice – and could bolster UCLA’s post presence so it doesn’t have to rely so heavily on Betts.

Aarnisalo, a 5-10 point guard, averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 48.2% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range as an 18-year-old in Belgium’s top division. Cain, a 6-1 shooting guard, will be traveling a much shorter distance and can add to the defensive play Close is seeking. She averaged 3.2 steals per game, to go with 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, in her senior season at St. Joseph High in Santa Maria.

The Bruins welcome this highly ranked class with heightened interest from the SoCal basketball community as fandom increased throughout this season’s tournament run and even before that.

UCLA came into the season ranked No. 4 in the AP poll and took off on a 14-game win streak that included wins over ranked opponents like UConn, Florida State and Ohio State. Alumni like Jordin Canada, Earl Watson and Nina and Russell Westbrook came out to support the team and help set a single-game attendance record of 13,659.

“We want to be a part of this incredible momentum that women’s basketball has garnered,” Close said. “We want to make Southern California really proud, and we want to get more eyeballs from the East Coast on our sport here in Southern California.”