Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive end Devin Aupiu took a significant leap forward for UCLA since joining the Bruins in 2021. He could be a breakout performer on the defensive line for the Bruins in 2025.
Aupiu committed to Notre Dame in 2021, but transferred to UCLA in the same season and played for the Bruins instead, according to UCLA. The first three years with the Bruins, the redshirt senior had 8 total tackles with 1 tackle-for-loss. All of that changed for Aupiu when he became a starting edge rusher for the Bruins in 2024.
Last season, the 6-foot-5 defensive end would pummel his way to the backfield for 15 total tackles with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks as well as 1 forced fumble, quarterback hit and pass breakup.
According to UCLA, the Oxnard, California native, was seen as three star recruit by Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports when entering college. In fact, on the Pacifica High School Tritons football team in 2019 he massed a mighty 62 tackles with 21 tackles-for-loss, 11 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, a blocked punt and 12 pass deflections to win their first CIF Division 2A State Regional Bowl Game.
The edge rusher played with former Bruin and current Indianapolis Colt Laiatu Latu in 2022 and 2023 and it’s beginning to look like he picked up some tricks of the trade from the veteran and showing off his athletic prowess once again.
This year, the Bruins will need him to take another leap forward with so many question marks on their defense. The powerful edge rusher can not be one of them if the Bruins want to make any sort of run in the Big Ten.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Devin Aupiu hopes to take the next big step in his UCLA football career
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
