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UCLA Football: Top 5 Transfer Recruits Still Available

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated 5/10/24

The transfer portal is closed to new entrants, but there are still plenty of players to snap up. That is good news for UCLA Football, as they still have roster needs to meet at running back, offensive line, and defensive line.

Top 5 Transfer Recruits for UCLA Football

Simeon Price, RB, Mississippi State

Simeon Price was used sparingly with the Bulldogs the last two seasons, but he proved to be a productive back. Coming out of high school, Price was a two-way player, WR/DB, and sometimes running back. Getting under the wing of former RBs Eric Bieniemy and Deshaun Foster, the 6′ foot 215 pounder will have his best shot at developing into high usage back.

Jalen Berger, RB, Michigan State

Jalen Berger’s second season at Michigan State was cut short by injury after appearing in just five games. This came on the heels of a promising debut year with the Spartans in 2022, where he rushed for 683 yards and six touchdowns after transferring from Wisconsin, where he had previously held a starting role.

Berger listed UCLA football in teams he has been in contact with.

Johnny Bowens III, DL, Oregon

Coming out of high school in 2023, Johnny Bowens was a 4-star recruit, the 15th-best defensive lineman in the nation. He played just 11 snaps for the Ducks as a true freshman last season. In those snaps, he was incredibly impressive with three STOPs, a PFF stat defined as ‘tackles that constitute a “failure” for the offense.’

Cormani McClain, CB, Colorado

There has been a big ‘will-they, won’t they’ romance between UCLA football and Cormani McClain since he entered the transfer portal. He is the big fish in the cornerback market and for good reason. Apart from a few bad plays, McClain was a shutdown corner last season. Mind you, this was as a starting true freshman.

Cornerback isn’t the team’s biggest need, but McClain would be a tide that lifts all boats in the UCLA defense.

Bryce Foster, IOL, Texas A&M

The former Aggie was ranked as the 2nd best interior offensive lineman in the nation in 2021. The 6 foot 5, 330 pounder was a three-year starter for A&M. He allowed just one sack over 435 pass-blocking snaps. According to Aggies beat reporter, Matt Guzman, Foster was one of few bright spots on the team.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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