ESPN unveiled its tier list for the upcoming college football season earlier this month. The outlet placed all 136 FBS football teams into 20 different tiers. The UCLA Bruins didn’t get a whole lot of love in the ranking, with ESPN writer David Hale marking the Bruins as a 12th tier program as they enter the 2025 season.
UCLA finds itself bunched up alongside Arkansas, Boston College, Cal, Kentucky, Maryland and Michigan State. Their peers aren’t lofty, but it certainly gives the Bruins some room for growth this season, including head-to-head matchups with both Maryland and Michigan State.
“UCLA is 66-64 in the playoff era, averaging 29.6 points and surrendering 29.1 points against FBS opposition,” Hale wrote of UCLA, exemplifying just how average UCLA has been over the past several seasons.
UCLA is hoping to see growth in 2025, they’ve surrounded head coach DeShaun Foster with a compelling coaching staff while bringing in a fresh batch of transfers, headlined by former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
It’s hard to argue with ESPN’s placement of the Bruins but there is a feeling that UCLA could potentially make significant strides in the coming seasons to garner more respect as a program. UCLA has consistently provided NFL talent even when their college teams have been absorbed into mediocrity.
Some college football insiders believe that Iamaleava’s presence will help elevate this year’s Bruins’ team but due to the unique circumstances required to acquire Iamaleava, it’s tough to say how much of a long-term impact it will have towards the program’s growth.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: ESPN places UCLA football in 12th tier of all FBS teams before 2025 season
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
