The 2025 UCLA Bruins’ offense is an unknown. DeShaun Foster is still a young head coach, entering his second season with his alma mater. Foster and the Bruins hired Tino Sunseri as their offensive coordinator after shining with Indiana in 2024. Perhaps most notably, UCLA paid a big NIL price to bring in Nico Iamaleava after his holdout from Tennessee.
All of these pieces will try and work themselves out in UCLA’s training camp before their season opener later this month. After a rough 2024 season for the Bruins’ offense, the team could use a bit of security. Enter Mikey Matthews, who could perhaps emerge as Iamaleava’s safety blanket in the new-look offense.
UCLA brought in Matthews to compete at wide receiver, more specifically, the slot receiver, where the shifty Matthews could shine. While Iamaleava and Matthews are first-time teammates this season, the two California natives have crossed paths at various camps throughout their development and will now join forces at the Rose Bowl this season.
Neither has had a particularly smooth collegiate career, Iamaleava had the well-documented break up with Tennessee, while Matthews enteres his third program in as many years, after spending a season with Utah and Cal before heading to Westwood.
Matthews is one of a few transfer adds for the UCLA receiver depth, coming in alongside Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Rico Flores Jr. and Kwazi Gilmer. Matthews’ skillset and familiarity with Iamaleava could help get on the field and if he’s able to prove himself as a reliable outlet for Iamaleava, he’ll stay out there.
In 25 career games with the Utes and Golden Bears, Matthews has 61 receptions for 533 yards with one touchdown. Expect Matthews to set new career highs with the Bruins in 2025.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Could Mikey Matthews establish himself as one of Nico Iamaleava’s favorite targets?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
