UCLA quarterback coach Ted White runs a drill as Ethan Garbers (4) throws the ball during football spring practice at Spaulding Field on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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)
Head Coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
DeShaun Foster, UCLA’s new head coach, leads football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Cornerbacks coach Kodi Whitfield speaks to his players during UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Head Coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Head Coach DeShaun Foster greets James Washington after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Logan Loya speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
DeShaun Foster, UCLA’s new head coach, right, leads football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Head Coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media after UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Devanti Dillard (35) reaches for the ball during UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Rico Flores Jr. (1) makes the catch during UCLA football spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
