The UCLA Bruins stumbled to a 5-7 record in 2024, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2019. It was head coach DeShaun Foster’s debut season, as he took over with hopes of elevating the Bruins in their first season in the Big Ten.
As the focus has shifted to 2025, did the Bruins do enough to elevate themselves to contention in the Big Ten?
Coaching Staff Changes: Evaluating UCLA’s Offseason Sideline Moves
The Bruins had significant turnover with their coaching staff, especially on the offensive side. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was fired and replaced by former Indiana co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri, who helped power the second-best scoring offense in the nation. Running backs coach Marcus Thomas was also let go and replaced by A.J. Steward after the team struggled to run the ball.
Foster hired former Michigan State cornerback coach Demetrice Martin to serve as the passing game coordinator on offense and secondary coach on defense. It’s his second stint in Los Angeles, as he previously spent six seasons (2012-17) on the Bruins’ staff.
Transfer Portal Impact: Key Additions and Losses for UCLA Football
Foster and his staff were heavily invested in this transfer portal cycle, welcoming over 20 players into the program. The headline—the B Nico Iamaleava, RB Jaivian Thomas, LB Isaiah Chiso, and CB Rodrick Pleasant. Outside of Pleasant, a former four-star who was buried on the depth chart at Oregon, each had significant production a year ago.
Along with Iamaleava joining the program, QB Joey Aguilar, who had come in from App State following 2024, departed—ironically switching places with Iamaleava and joining his previous school, Tennessee. Leading rusher RB T.J. Harden was a key loss in the portal, as was talented WR J.Michael Sturdivant. Otherwise, the Bruins are focused on replenishing their depth after close to 30 players entered their names into the portal.
UCLA’s 2025 recruiting class was relatively disappointing. According to 247 Sports, the school ranked 45th in the nation in terms of team recruiting rankings. The team brought in two four-stars (EDGE Cole Cogshell and RB Karson Cox) and 17 three-stars, highlighted by QB Robert McDaniel and TE Noah Flores.
The commitment of Iamaleava’s brother and fellow QB Madden through the transfer portal was not included in that ranking. Previously committed and an early enrollee with Arkansas, the four-star class of 2025 passer will join the Bruins and fit in as a talented option for the future.
As mentioned, the guys who catch the national eye are the Iamaleava brothers. With the Vols a season ago, Iamaleava threw 19 touchdowns and five interceptions in leading the program to its first College Football Playoff appearance. After a complicated NIL saga, he will be UCLA’s starter next fall.
While the younger Iamaleava could serve as the backup well, the Bruins have several returning passers who haven’t appeared in a game and will serve in in-depth roles.
Foster’s biggest win was securing Iamaleava’s commitment, as he’s worlds better than any quarterback previously on the roster. With a season already under his belt, the former five-star prospect will elevate UCLA to relevance in the Big Ten. Pairing Thomas, who ran for 626 yards and seven touchdowns last season for Cal as a spot-starter, next to him was a nice pull as well. Having a proven offensive mind in Sunseri should bring out the best in the offense as a whole.
There is a glaring miss for the Bruins, as they emerge as one of the major winners in this year’s transfer portal. The loss of Sturdivant, who would’ve been one of Iamaleava’s top targets, hurt. But WR Kwazi Gilmer had already passed Sturdivant in the pecking order during his true freshman season in 2024 and figures to excel next fall.
Did UCLA’s Offseason Set the Stage for a Playoff Push in 2025?
In short, no. Despite what should be considered a successful offseason, the bones of a 5-7 team are still here.
The combination of offensive coordinator Sunseri and QB Iamaleava will likely result in several more wins, but it’d be. However, it’s definitely good to see the Bruins still in contention for a playoff berth come November.
KEEP READING: Penn State Football Offseason Grade: Did the Nittany Lions Replenish Well Enough to Contend for a National Title?
The Bruins took a significant step forward because Foster’s squad is coming off a 5-7 campaign.
“Success” for this team should involve putting up a fight and competing against the Big Ten powers (Penn State on Oct. 4 and Ohio State on Nov. 15) and taking care of business against the others. In the end, finishing the season with an appearance in a mid-tier bowl game would be a reasonable goal for the Bruins in 2025.
UCLA Offseason Grade: B+
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