In Year 2 of the DeShaun Foster era for UCLA football, both Foster and the Bruins want to take the next step. It took the Bruins going 4-2 to close out the 2024 season to bring their record to 5-7. While expectations were low for the Bruins in 2024, the sights have been raised for this season.
UCLA has hit the road recruiting, bringing in new talent throughout the roster. With those additions come raised expectations.
“When I took on this job, I inherited a program with tremendous tradition and immense opportunity,” Foster said at the Big Ten Conference media day on Thursday. “We’re not just committed to restoring UCLA football, we’re committed to evolving in this new era of college athletics.”The addition of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and his brother Madden Iamaleava is a prime example of how Foster and the program are willing to adjust to the NIL era,
“Our recruiting has been outstanding, and I mean outstanding,” Foster said. “We’ve brought in young men who understand what it means to be a Bruin. Academically excellent, athletically gifted and committed to being bigger than themselves.”
Foster spoke on how meaningful it is for the team to get to play in the Rose Bowl, perhaps the most iconic venue in college sports, and just how impactful UCLA was in his own personal journey, which eventually led him back to Westwood to lead the program.
“Our players are passionate about having an opportunity to compete against legendary programs and prove that West Coast football belongs on the biggest stage,” Foster said. “Entering year two I expect to see significant improvement, not just in my team, but for myself as a head coach.”
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA’s DeShaun Foster expects growth from Bruins in second Big Ten season
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
