NFL teams were required to cut down their rosters to 53 players, which meant many former UCLA football players were let go from their teams on Tuesday.
To start the preseason, there were 40 Bruins on active rosters throughout the NFL, but now there are only 24 UCLA alumni. It’s important to remember, just because a Bruin was waived from the team, it doesn’t mean they won’t be brought back onto a practice squad or even picked up by another team. Without further delay, here is a list of the 16 Bruins that were released, according to the NFL.
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Thompson-Robinson started strong for the Philadelphia Eagles, but fizzled out. After the Eagles let rookie quarterback Kyle McCord take all the snaps in their final preseason game, the writing was on the wall. The writing got even more apparent when the Eagles traded for veteran quarterback Sam Howell on Sunday.
TE Greg Dulcich
The New York Giants had an abundance of tight ends, but Dulcich gave the team some offensive firepower as he scored three touchdowns in the final two preseason games. It seems like it was not enough to sway the Giants, but he has a good chance to make a teams practice squad.
TE Bryce Pierre
The Carolina Panthers might have waived the undrafted rookie tight end, but he probably has a good chance to be stashed on their practice squad for the upcoming season. He was only targeted twice in the preseason for 14 yards, according to ESPN.
RB Kazmeir Allen
The Washington Commanders running back struggled to gain yardage in the preseason and was not a surprise cut, due to being at the bottom the unofficial depth chart. He had 11 carries for 45 yards with average of 4.1 yards per carry, according to ESPN.
RB Demetric Felton
Felton didn’t do much in the preseason with the Commanders or last couple years with the Cleveland Browns. He had 14 carries for 46 yards during the preseason and 8 carries for 20 yards over the past two seasons with the Browns, according to ESPN.
RB Carson Steele
Steele has struggled to adapt to the NFL level with the Kansas City Chiefs, only gaining 183 yards on 56 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry and 3 fumbles and losing two of them, according to ESPN.
OL Raiqwon O’Neal
The Tampa Bay offensive tackle was a depth piece for the Buccaneers. He has played in three games in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks with four offensive snaps and 19 special teams snaps.
OL Atonio Mafi
The 24-year-old offensive lineman has played in 20 NFL games, starting five games for the New England Patriots and none for the Indianapolis Colts.
DT Matt Dickerson
Dickerson was waived by the Miami Dolphins, but has played for three other teams and totaled 45 tackles over his five years in the NFL, according to ESPN.
DT Jacob Sykes
The Eagles waived Sykes after he had 2 total tackles and a pass deflection in the preseason, according to ESPN.
LB Krys Barnes
The veteran linebacker was released by the Panthers, but he had 8 total tackles and a forced fumble this preseason, according to ESPN. Barnes should make a team’s practice squad even if it’s just for his veteran savvy as he amassed 280 total tackles over five years with the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals, as well as 5 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception over that time.
LB Gabriel Murphy
Murphy was a standout on the Minnesota Vikings defense and was a bit of a surprise release, even in a crowded defensive line room. The former undrafted outside linebacker put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks this preseason as well as being credited for 1.5 sacks, according to ESPN. He should definitely be on a team even if it isn’t going to be the Vikings.
LB Grayson Murphy
Much like his twin brother, Gabriel Murphy, was able to bring down the opposing quarterbacks this preseason as he amassed 5 total tackles and 2 sacks, according to ESPN.
CB Azizi Hearn
The Chiefs cornerback did not put up many stats this preseason as he only was able to make three tackles during his time on the field. With the Chiefs having 10 cornerbacks on the roster earlier in the offseason, cuts to the room needed to be made.
CB Alex Johnson
Johnson performed well for the Indianapolis Colts, but the Colts regained health in their cornerback room and traded for All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard. Johnson should make the practice squad or even be picked up by another team.
CB Fabian Moreau
The 7 year veteran was in a tough spot as he sat in the bottom of a very crowded San Francisco 49ers cornerback room. On top of that, Moreau fell victim to the many injuries on the 49ers roster.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: How many former Bruins were unable to crack their team’s 53-man NFL roster?
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
