Five Takeaways From UCLA Bruins Saturday Open Practice, New WR Emerges

The UCLA Bruins opened up the Wasserman Center to fans on Saturday during their 2.5-hour fall practice session, including a 40-minute curated scrimmage that the defense ended up winning in dramatic fashion on the final play, 52-51.

With over 200 people in attendance cheering on the team, here are five major insights from a wildly encouraging day in Westwood.

Ethan Garbers Has a Favorite Target

Ethan Garbers emphatically demonstrated two truths on a scorching summer day in Los Angeles: a.) a decisive command of the offense, b.) a deep chemistry with Titus Mokiao-Atimalala.

As LAFB reported at BIG-10 Media Day , Garbers’ eyes lit up when speaking about TMA’s potential impact on this offense, and that actualized impact was on full display this weekend. TMA’s ability to get open at all three levels of the defense coupled with this being his third year at UCLA, have pole-vaulted him to be Garbers’ primary option at times of any stress.

In fact, over 90 percent of Garbers’ completions went to TMA, Rico Flores Jr., J. Michael Sturdivant , and Moliki Matavao. These four have significantly separated as the primary receiving options in Eric Bieniemy ’s offensive system.

Ironically enough, Logan Loya, last year’s leading receiver with 59 receptions and 655 years seems to be the odd man out…for now.

Related: What UCLA Bruins Players Are Saying About Eric Bieniemy’s Offense

Offensive Line’s Massive Improvement

There were deep concerns about the quality, size, and depth of the offensive line leaving the spring practice sessions. Those worries have been quelched courtesy of the outstanding technique tutelage of Juan Castillo along with tangible strength and conditioning results from Keith Belton.

The UCLA Bruins enter BIG-10 play with a very credible and stout unit of Spencer Holstege, Garrett DiGiorgio, Josh Carlin, Reuben Unije, and Alani Makihele.

Carlin moving to the center position, in particular, will jumpstart this offense seamlessly given his experience, leadership, and intelligence in tandem with the veteran Garbers.

Depth remains a concern as there is a significant drop-off in talent and size after this first five, but as long as this group can remain healthy – mission accomplished for the Bruin offensive trenches in year one of a conference known for line quality as its calling card.

New Look Front Seven

Outside of the offensive line, the big question coming out of spring was how the front seven would develop after the departures of Laiatu Latu , the Murphy twins, and Carl Jones Jr.

The UCLA Bruins interior defensive line seems to be the most stable anchored by Jay Toia and Keanu Williams, checking in at 325 and 310 pounds, respectively. A fascinating wrinkle was Collins Acheampong, the heralded 6’7, 285-pound transfer from the University of Miami, primarily lined up as the third rotational interior lineman.

Acheampong was widely expected to play one of the edge slots with that responsibility now falling to Kain Medrano, who was unanimously expected to play linebacker.

The Bruins are banking on the health and availability of Ale Kaho and JonJon Vaughns in the linebacker room to fortify the presence of Femi Oladejo as its centerpiece. If Kaho and Vaughns can be consistently productive, it will enable Medrano to solidify one of the edges, with the likes of Jacob Bustic playing freely as the weak side edge. Depth and role clarity remain a work in progress here.

WATCH: The Latest UCLA LAFB Show!

The Next Playmakers

Lost amidst all the primary offensive weapons was the continued scintillating play of wide receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Braden Pegan. The former had the highlight of the day with a spectacular OBJ-esque one-handed catch at the back pylon via a 20-yard fade from Garbers, arousing chants of “Freddie Mitchell 2.0!” from gleeful fans. With the latter consistently creating separation on most intermediate routes and being a recurring red-zone playmaker.

A wide receiver second-unit of Loya, Gilmer, and Pegan would clearly be first-string most years at UCLA. This unprecedented depth on the outside, coupled with the one-two punch of TJ Harden and Keegan Jones in the backfield, should have the UCLA Bruins as one of the most underrated offenses in the BIG Ten, and one I expect to finish in the conference’s top five for total offense.

If DeShaun Foster Is CEO, Eric Bieniemy is COO

One of the themes that has translated from the spring is Eric Bieniemy’s presence as the primary voice in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 interactions. Bieniemy seems to be UCLA football’s Chief Operating Officer, driving accountability, discipline, and excellence on a play-over-play basis.

This allows DeShaun Foster to serve more in a CEO capacity, being a rover across different positional group stations, engaging with recruits, and interacting with donors.

Both seem to be very comfortable in their respective roles, as the strength of this duo’s relationship moving forward will probably serve as the greatest predictor of team success in 2024. So far so good, and it will be fascinating to see this dynamic evolve on the sideline in real-game scenarios.

The ability, space, and time for Foster to grow into his role as a long-term head coach can enable UCLA football to be a staple in the top 25, not just in 2024, but perennially beyond.

Hard to believe we’re only 20 days away from opening kickoff!

More must-reads:

• Takeaways From UCLA Football’s Open Practice, Including Offensive Line’s Massive Improvement
• UCLA Football Player Compares Eric Bieniemy’s Offense To A Buffet, “Everybody Eats”