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I had the privilege this evening of attending a UCLA Bruins booster and alumni event that included some of the most passionate, loyal, and enduring Bruins fans. The main event – a one hour sit down with new head coach DeShaun Foster, who exuded a calm confidence, DRE-Ish swagger, and strategic clarity of vision not seen from the head football coach in years.
Some breaking news bombs were dropped sprinkled in with “ooh and aah” moments that made for a magical evening.
UCLA Bruins New NIL Policy
“I’m announcing today that every first-string UCLA football player will receive $25K, every second-string player will receive $15K, and every developmental player will receive $5K. That will be on top of any additional individual NIL deals they generate.”
UCLA Bruins NIL Growth:
“We need to be in the same realm as others and we’re getting closer, for example, Toia was offered $750K and chose to come back.”
DeShaun Foster Exclusive Conversation
On how hard it was to take the Raiders job (for a few days):
“I turned down 11 jobs prior to the Raiders, turned down the Rams RB job last year. But given the situation at the time, thought transitioning would be best but I love UCLA so much that it was extremely difficult to say goodbye. So grateful for how things turned out.”
On what it will take for the program to go where it is today to being a perennial conference and national title contender:
“It’s where we are in the sport today. We need more folks to take out their checkbooks.”
On the quarterback room:
“I have all the confidence in Ethan Garbers leading this team, he’s even an amazing golfer – scratch golfer in fact. We have work to do with the next two guys – they’re still developing and we’re going to work hard getting them to that next level.”
On his philosophical pillars:
“The reason discipline is my first pillar is because I came from a military family – my running backs were always the first group in the facility and it’s that mentality I’m bringing to the whole team.”
On how UCLA can sell itself uniquely in the Big 10:
“You just need to look outside the window and see how nice it is.”
On how he will complement his staff:
“I want them to be totally focused on development. I will take care of the recruiting.”
On recruiting challenges at UCLA:
“We’ve had the same academic standards we’ve always had – it’s about identifying those players and going to those locations across the country.”
On expectations for next season:
“We won 8 games last year, so anything less this season will be disappointing.”
On how he sees “New Media”:
“We are going to lean in heavily on social media engagement – the UCLA women’s basketball team this year was a great model for us to adopt. We want everyone to feel part of the conversation with interactions, polls, and engagements.”
On what’s to come next:
“Expect two more commits this week.”
Bruin fans let’s enjoy this breadth of fresh air at a packed Rose Bowl this fall.
More must-reads:
- Three stars from Monday’s NBA playoffs
- Derrick White makes unique history in Eastern Conference Finals
- The 'Most receiving yards in a season' quiz
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