UCLA Football Adjusts Offense After Trio of ACL Injuries During Spring Practices

UCLA head football coach DeShaun Foster revealed that three players suffered torn ACLs during the team's last two spring practices. Tight end Hudson Habermehl, running back Troy Leigber, and linebacker Donavyn Pellot all sustained the season-ending injuries, forcing the Bruins to make adjustments to their offense.

Foster discussed the impact on team morale and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Friday Night Lights event. "It's tough to see your teammates go down like that, but we have to keep pushing forward ," Foster said. "We're looking forward to Friday Night Lights and giving our fans a glimpse of what this team can do."

The Bruins have already acquired talent from the transfer portal this offseason, such as receiver Rico Flores Jr. and defensive end Jacob Busic. However, with the opening of the transfer portal today, Foster remains active in exploring options to address specific needs on the roster, including offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends, running backs, and defensive backs.

"We're always looking to improve our team and bring in the best talent," Foster said. "The transfer portal gives us an opportunity to fill some gaps and add depth at key positions."

Despite the injuries, Foster expressed confidence in the players he has inherited and does not expect to lose many more to the transfer portal. He encourages open discussions with players about their futures and praised the team's recent recruiting efforts, which secured two commitments for the 2025 class last week.

Why this matters: The ACL injuries to three UCLA football players during spring practices highlight the challenges and setbacks teams face in preparing for the upcoming season. The Bruins' ability to adjust their offense and utilize the transfer portal to fill roster needs will be essential to their success in the competitive Pac-12 Conference.

Coach Foster remains optimistic about the team's prospects, stating, "We have a strong foundation here at UCLA. These injuries are unfortunate, but we will adapt and find ways to put our best players in a position to succeed. The transfer portal and our recruiting efforts will play a key role in shaping our roster for the future."

Key Takeaways

• 3 UCLA players suffered season-ending ACL tears in spring practices.
• Coach Foster aims to address roster needs through the transfer portal.
• UCLA acquired talent from the transfer portal, including WR Rico Flores Jr.
• Coach Foster remains optimistic about the team's prospects despite injuries.
• UCLA secured 2 commitments for the 2025 recruiting class last week.