Wide Receiver Bryan Stewart Transfer to UCLA



The Bruins received good news when former Washington State Cougar Wide Receiver Bryan Stewart agreed transfer to Westwood.

Stewart started 9 games for the Cougars and accumulated 13 receptions for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns. A far cry from his sophomore numbers of 67 receptions for 759 yards and 4 touchdowns in 13 starts.

Bruins coaches are confident with Stewart skills that surpassing his best season while with the Cougars will be relatively easy. Coach Alley while discussing his new pupil at wide receiver, "It has been a long time since we had someone with Stewart's skill set, Coach Jones and Coach Gibson have a unique plan on how to use our players. Stewart will be utilize much differently here at UCLA then he was at Washington State."

We here at The Bruins Den's Headquarters Welcome Bryan to Bruins Nation. We look forward seeing you in the End Zone many times this season.

GO BRUINS!!!!

After a pretty quiet transfer period the Bruins introduced

Offensive Lineman Daniel Welch who transferred from Kentucky. Coaches believe Daniel will be a tremendous asset to the team in his final season.

Quarterback Jon Talley who was signed by Iowa but did not make the team. Coaches like some of Jon's attributes and would like to see how he performs during training game and pre-season.

Linebacker/DB Gary Parr - Gary played the last few season with Auburn. Coaches are going to take a look at him at Defensive back.

That is it for the Bruins for this transfer period. Coaches are now out on the road interviewing and talking to high school players to convince them to come to UCLA.

GO BRUINS!!!!

Two Full Days remain until National Signing Day and the Bruins computer system remain down.

When asked about the situation and if Athletic Director Otterpop was concern about UCLA Computer System being down?

"I am not concern at all. Most of the work needed was put in already and we had our data backed up and can access it if/when needed. We will be ready when National Signing Day Starts if our system is back online or not."

What if the system is not back online?

"Well I have this laptop it has access to our data. As some may know already I hate laptops they are the devil's spawn but if I have to use it I will"

Who is on top of Bruins wish list?

"Now you know better then ask me such a question, but I did hear one Athletic Director say this, so I will say it also, if you weigh less then 250 lbs do not apply" <<<<LAUGHS>>>>

But Seriously we are going to keep our options open if a player with great potential falls to us we will jump at the chance to sign him even if it is a position we feel is not "A NEED".

Well Good Luck to All at UCLA and I hope your computer system comes back online before Signing Day.

GO BRUINS!!!

Quarterback Bobby Jackson Seeks A Transfer

After seeing that 6th day of the signing period quarterback Bobby Jackson asked for his release so he can pursue a transfer to another college to finish his college career.

We are sad by Bobby's Request but we understand Bobby's desire to start. We believe Bobby can be a starter at college and at the pro level if the right system presents itself and we wish Bobby Good Luck in his future endeavors. Bobby will always be a Bruin and we Thank Him For his courage and strength

GO BRUINS!!!!

Bruins 2026 National Signing Day

Day 1 - LB/S Drue Tranquill

Tranquill, a two-time All State All American from Fort Wayne, became the heart and soul of his team. He started 12 of 13 contests, posting 86 stops, nine for loss, 3.5 sacks, and four pass breakups. He started all 25 games in the last two seasons, though he moved from safety to linebacker in-between. As a junior, he racked up 85 tackles, 10.5 for loss, an interception, and three pass breakups one year after making an impact in the secondary (79 tackles, two for loss, one INT, two PBU). His first two seasons, however, prematurely ended due to injury. As a true freshman, he started 3 of 11 games (33 tackles, INT) before suffering a torn left ACL. The following year, Tranquill returned to play in the season's first three games (nine tackles, 2.5 for loss, two PBU) but tore his right ACL in a celebration following a game-ending pass breakup against Fort Wayne's Rival.

Day 2 - DE/LB Rashan Gary

Gary was the top recruit coming out of High School, not only using his immense size and outstanding agility to dominate the competition at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey as the state's top Defensive Player, but also excelling in the classroom. Gary played all 13 games as a reserve his freshman season, making 27 tackles, five for losses, and a sack. His potential really began to show last season, when he earned first-team honors with 66 stops, 12 for loss, and six sacks in 13 starts. Gary was a first-team pick again as a junior, compiling 44 tackles, seven for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 12 games.

Day 3 - DL Gerald Willis III

Willis has had a rocky high school career. He played eight games as a reserve (14 tackles). He was dismissed after his first season, however, for multiple transgressions including a reported fight with the teams star quarterback. Willis transferred to the local rival the following season, when he played in nine games as a reserve (19 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups). He took a leave of absence from the team, but played with the scout team while working out family/personal issues. That time off apparently worked out, as Willis became one of the most productive defensive linemen the following season. He was an Associated Press second-team All-American and second-team All High School selection, finishing among the nation's leaders with 18 tackles for loss (among 59 total tackles with four sacks) in 12 games. Willis missed the all star games, however, due to a hand injury.

Day 4 - TE/OL Tyler Petite

Bruins will move to the offensive line. His blocking is more refine then his passing catching skills

Day 5 - HB/WR Trayveon Williams

Williams was a star back at Houston's C.E. King High School, rushing for about 4,000 yards and over 40 touchdowns in his final two seasons there. That success put him in the top 10 for all-purpose running back recruits in the country and landed him many scholarship opportunities. Williams became the first true freshman in program history to run for over 1,000 yards (1,057 on 156 carries, 6.8 per, eight touchdowns) while also catching 19 passes for 91 yards and returning five kickoffs for 82 yards (16.4 average) in 13 games (two starts). He contributed heavily again as a sophomore in 12 starts as a runner (173-798-4.6, eight touchdowns), receiver (20 catches, 192 yards, 9.6 average), and kickoff returner (six returns, 183 yards, 30.5 average). Williams broke out in a major way as a junior, earning second-team Associated Press All-American honors by finishing in the top five nationally with 1,524 rushing yards and scoring 15 times on 252 carries (6.1 average). He also caught 27 passes for 278 yards (10.3 average) and a touchdown. Trayveon will go into training camp as a wide receiver seeing his pass catching skill are far superior at this time.

Day 6 - Brett Rypien

Rypien is the nephew of former Washington Pro Bowl and Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien. He was considered one of the top recruits in the country after setting the Washington state record with 13,044 career passing yards and winning the state Player of the Year award as a senior by throwing for 4,552 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Day 7 - Vicente Nelson

Vicente comes out a small private school in Arkansas where he played every position on defense. Vicente will be given a chance to make the squad as a defensive end.


GO BRUINS!!!

UCLA 2026 PRESEASON ROSTER REPORT

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Senior Christopher Christiansen comes in as the starter, with red-shirt Freshman Austin Burton backing him up. Red-shirt Freshman Jon Talley and day 6 signee Brett Rypien fighting for a roster spot.

Running Back

Alexander Rice is the clear cut starter with Soso Jamabo and late season sensation Alfred Ewing backing him up. Clarence Rodgers, Kerry Hay and Brett Rypien with see some time in the backfield.

Fullback

Tight End/Full Back David Ford is “the starter” with TE/FB Steven Brown, WR/FB Demetric Felton and Clarence Rodgers all seeing sometime.

Tight End

James Molina continues his excellent play as the starter while David Ford, Steven Brown, Clarence Rodgers, and Demetric Felton all seeing time at the position.

Offensive Line

Guard Albert Dove, Center Michael Colon and RT Timothy Burkett are set as starters the other 2 starter’s spots are up for grabs. Last season training camp surprise Zachary Sweeney may find him starting this season, while Glenn Smith, Duane Jennings, Anthony Blair, Daniel Welch, Keith Ruiz, and Chris Murray all competing for the final starting roles. Freshman Tyler Petite who is converting from his natural tight end position may find him playing significant playing time after showing promise during training camp.


DEFENSE

Defensive Line

With graduation of DE Dalton Hayes and DT Christian Meyers two big holes opened up. Osa Odighizuwa will inherit the job of replacing Dalton at the DE spot and DT Keith Peeler is slated to replace Christian. Rod Gilmore will once again man the other ends spot. A whole slew of players will via for back up spots. Eyes are on newcomers DE Vicente Nelson and DT Gerald Willis III to move up the depth chart to be eventual impact players on the defensive line.

Linebacker

A big need going into the off season was to find players to complement Allen Norton. The Bruins attempt during the signing period brought failure and a half. Rashan Gary finding football was too tough so he is currently involved in management program at Taco Bell. While Drue Tranquill remains on campus to attempt to resurrect his football career at either linebacker or Defensive End. Other players of note are Daniel Lloyd, Dennis Weatherspoon, Erik Gelman, Steve McQueen, Eddie Brown and Dennis Ricks. All of whom play roles on the defense.

Defensive Backs

Three season ago the Bruins hit the lottery and signed CB Louis Peden and Rodolfo Martinez to play the outside, which allowed long time starter Larry Navarro to play safety and nickel position. Adding Howard Hearns to play the other safety spot has solidified the defensive backfield. Attempts to add more depth did not work out but the Bruins are hopeful that Lokeni Toailoa, Gary Parr and Joey Talley will continue their growth to assist in securing the defensive backfield.

Special Teams

Place Kicker JJ Molson continues to improve and Punter Donald Angustus will continue to punt for the squad. The Bruins continue to try out players to find both the Kick and Punt returner.

UCLA 2026 Not Quite Quarter Review

Greetings from Westwood Bruins Fans. This is our not quite Quarterly Review with Athletic Director Otterpop.

Press Thank You for sitting down with us, originally we had a meeting scheduled after the Rutgers game but you canceled. Can you explain why?

Otterpop As you know I love talking about Bruins football but after that game I was in no mood to talk with anyone. In all honestly it took a few more days to get over that lost and I am still not over the lost.

Press Why is that?

Otterpop Going into the game we knew we were vulnerable but we thought we addressed the issues. Taking nothing away Rutgers they are 6 – 0 right now, but we felt we were ready to win that game.

Press But you were not?

Otterpop Would you like to leave now?

Press Message received sorry. After that game the Bruins went with Redshirt Freshman Austin Burton at Quarterback is that because Redshirt Senior Christopher Christiansen played so poorly.

Otterpop First let me say this Chris is a Great Kid. He played his heart out and can play at the next level if he chooses to do so. Even before the game against Rutgers we were looking at Austin, Brett and Jon and consider moving one them to the starter role. We had our concerns about Austin accuracy and for that reason alone we didn’t pull the trigger. We were looking for a spark something that would ignite our offense. As we explained to Chris we felt he just didn’t give the play a chance to develop he was too quick to dump the pass off to the outlet receiver.

Press But against Navy the Bruins fared no better?

Otterpop Are the Midshipmen the defending National Champs?

Press *****Silence*****

Otterpop careful son think before you blurt out some question that you are not ready for answer. No our offense did not fare much better. But we did see something and we are confident that we made the right decision in moving Austin at starter. Only time will tell we are only in 2 games of the Austin Burton era.

Press *****Smug Smile***** Do you believe Bruins can win the division?

Otterpop Well if you ask anyone in our division or any other division for that matters they all believe they can win the division, conference and championship. We would not doing this if we didn’t believe that we can win it all. Right now USC is the king of the division and kings of Los Angeles. If we want to be any of those we must beat them first. For now though we are only focused the Arizona Wildcats who are coming into our house to take what is ours and we have to be ready to defend our home.

Press When will Defensive End Rod Gilmore be ready to return?

Otterpop The training staff, coaches and I have sat down talked with Rod and he is anxious to return. We want him healthy during the 2nd half of the season so maybe one more game. But he is a game time decision right now.

Press Sorry about this question but I think it has to be asked. What is the status of CB Rodolfo Martinez after the poor game against Rutgers were there any concerns or thoughts of benching him.

Otterpop Usually I would answer that question with the standard “That is between myself and the coaches” but this time I will say NO!!!!, it did not even cross our minds. We have 3 very solid defensive backs and if they could play ever play on the field they would.

Otterpop Well that is all I have work to do and need to turn my attention to that. Have a good day.

After a 9 - 7 Season UCLA and its staff want to thank the graduating class for their efforts this past season and for their efforts throughout their career with the Bruins.

OL Daniel Welch only played 1 season but played a solid LT for the Bruins.

OL Timothy Burkett Played 2 season with the bruins an shored up the Right Side of the offensive line.

DT Stephen Wiggins Played 7 Season for the Bruins and filled whatever role asked of him with exceptional gusto.

DT Keith Peeler Played 4 Season with the Bruins and was ready whenever the whistle blew.

LB Richard Davis Only played one season but his leadership and dedication help keep the linebacker core together while they worked through some issues during the season.

THANK YOU SENIORS!!!!


GO BRUINS!!!!

Bruins Begin Search of New Head Coach

Today Head Coach Harry Jones notified General Manager Otterpop that it was his time to retire.

Coach Jones leaves the Bruins with after a 33-33 record.

I want to thank Coach Jones for his effort in turning the Bruin's program and I wish him well in his future endeavors.

When asked about what he is looking for in the next coach, otterpop only said someone who wants to teach kids and wins.

We will have to wait and see.

GO BRUINS!!!!