The Bruins may have paced the Pac-12 with the most NFL Draft picks in the conference, but the program wasn't done sending alums to the pros just yet.
UCLA football had six prospects selected over the course of the draft's seven rounds in Las Vegas, but there were still eight players who did not hear their names called. That doesn't mean their NFL dreams were over, though, as some Bruins started signing with teams as undrafted free agents right after the San Francisco 49ers made the final selection.
The 49ers stayed active, though, and signed UCLA defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight to a deal within the hour.
Knight started his collegiate career at Maryland, where he played three seasons before transferring to Kent State. After one season in the MAC, Knight came to UCLA in 2020. Knight played another two seasons in blue and gold as his third team's starting striker – a nickel/safety hybrid role – racking up 106 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five pass breakups, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 19 games.
Offensive tackle Alec Anderson announced he had signed with Buffalo Bills just a few minutes after Knight went public with his deal.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Anderson started in 17 games for the Bruins over the past two seasons and played in 30 games across his career in Westwood. With Anderson starting at right tackle, UCLA has boasted the top offense and No. 1 running game in the Pac-12 since 2019.
The Inland Empire native celebrated his deal with Buffalo with a traditional Bills Mafia table smashing, popularized at the team's tailgates before the trend spread throughout the fanbase.
247Sports' Bruin Report Online reported that receiver-turned-running back and special teamer Ethan Fernea had signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts not long after.
Hula Bowl Co-Assistant Director of Scouting Jimmy Williams reported offensive guard Paul Grattan had agreed to attend minicamps for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, setting him up for a potential contract down the line as well.
Knight, Anderson and Fernea – and possibly Grattan – are now on their way to suiting up on Sundays along with their teammates who got picked in the 2022 NFL Draft. Tight end Greg Dulcich went to the Denver Broncos, offensive lineman Sean Rhyan went to the Green Bay Packers, defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia went to the Los Angeles Chargers, wide receiver Kyle Philips went to the Tennessee Titans, safety Quentin Lake went to the Los Angeles Rams and running back Brittain Brown went to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Defensive lineman Datona Jackson, linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath, cornerback Obi Eboh and cornerback Cameron Johnson are the UCLA players who remain on the market.
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