LOS ANGELES – UCLA’s offensive line depth continues to undergo significant changes as the Bruins finish out the final week of spring practice.
Coach DeShaun Foster and the Bruins saw the departure of a pair of linemen after UCLA received two commitments from out of the transfer portal this week.
Left tackle Bruno Fina leaves after four seasons with the program. Fina started all 13 games and helped the Bruins lead the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game (197.9). But Fina also struggled in his first year as a full-time starter. He allowed a team-high five sacks and 11 quarterback hurries in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
Fina was not at practice on Tuesday but had spent the past week in rotation at right guard with sophomore Tavake Tuikolovatu, according to Rivals.
Interior lineman Benjamin Roy Jr. announced his decision to transfer on Monday. He appeared in five games over the last three seasons and was often plagued with injury.
The Bruins aren’t expecting more offensive linemen to go to the portal during the spring window, which closed Tuesday. Some players may still announce their official entry in the portal in the coming days after they’ve been officially processed.
Foster and his staff made the most of the portal window to help bolster their depth and talent.
Linemen Reuben Unije and Alani Makihele committed to the Bruins last week and are expected to compete for immediate playing time.
Unije spent four seasons at Houston and stepped into a starting role in 2023. He played 679 snaps in 11 games at right tackle.
Unije could be slotted as a left tackle in the starting lineup with Garrett DiGiorgio returning to the Bruins. DiGiorgio started all 13 games at right tackle in 2023 and has been working in that role throughout the spring.
Makihele started all 13 games at left tackle for UNLV last season before deciding to transfer. He could compete for the starting role at right tackle in the fall.
Spencer Holstege is expected to continue in his role as the starting left guard for the Bruins. The former Purdue transfer started all 13 games for UCLA before briefly re-entering and withdrawing his name from the portal.
The Bruins are also awaiting offensive tackle Michael Carmody, who committed in January. The Notre Dame transfer started two of the 10 games played at Notre Dame in 2021 as a sophomore but saw limited time on the field over the next two seasons.
Josh Carlin started all 12 games at right guard but has recently spent time as the first-team center. Sam Yoon and Dovid Magna were competing for first-team reps to start the spring. Magna is currently out with an undisclosed injury.
“It’s all about putting the best five on the football field,” quarterback coach Ted White said last week when asked about how the quarterbacks handle the rotating personnel across the line. “We just have to make sure we communicate the play, we receive the snap and we have an opportunity to put seven points on the board.”
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HEALTH CHECK
Running back TJ Harden and defensive lineman Jay Toia were sidelined during Tuesday’s practice after being hurt during 11-on-11 drills.
Harden appeared shaken up after coming out of the bottom of a pile but finished out the rep by running to the end zone. He did walk back to the sideline and took off his helmet before going back into the facility.
Toia was spotted down on a knee at the end of a play and was visibly slow to get to his feet after the athletic trainer spoke with him. He did stay out on the field throughout the remaining moments of practice but didn’t participate in the rest of practice.
Foster mentioned both were shaken up but didn’t expect either to have a serious injury.
