Year two of the Deshaun Foster regime is underway for the UCLA Bruins and his second Spring Showcase was a success. For the second year straight the Spring Showcase started with the Bruin Walk as the team walked into the stadium being led by their coach.
The fanfare wasn’t quite as good as it was last year, most likely due to the inclement weather and the fact that it was Foster’s first season but the fans in attendance definitely enjoyed the event.
A few UCLA football alumni were in attendance including former Minnesota Viking linebacker Anthony Barr. The alums signed autographs and memorabilia for fans prior to the on-field action.
The fans in attendance were also able to enjoy a Cinco De Mayo marketplace placed in front of the stadium to celebrate the coming holiday. Fans were serenaded with music from a local mariachi band and were able to watch in-person boxing matches outside of the Rose Bowl stadium.
After the excitement outside it was then time for those in attendance to get their first look at the 2025 Bruins football team in action. The action on the field was not like your traditional spring football game as it was a little bit of individual and special teams work early. The Bruins followed that up with competitive one-on-one, and 11-on-11 periods to keep fans entertained.
The showcase closed with a lengthy 16-minute 11-on-11 period followed by a two-minute drill period, where the offense had three tries to take the ball 70 yards to the end zone.
After the on-field action, the current UCLA players stayed on the field to sign autographs for fans on the sideline. “Great way to end spring. Loved how the guys competed this whole time,” UCLA coach Foster said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. The guys approached spring the right way. Coming off the season that we had these guys were eager to get after it” The Bruins are excited to see some vast improvements from their team that finished 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten) last season.
Last Saturday’s showcase brought an end to spring play for the Bruins who are looking forward to the summer where players like quarterback transfer Nico Iamaleava, will join the team.
“It just feels good because you know you’re around somebody that you can tell he has presence,” Foster said of the newcomer from Tennessee. “He kind of commands attention being [6 feet 6], he’s a huge guy and he’s not somebody that’s just seeking that attention but he just kind of has a poise to him that … it’s just comforting.”
With improved play from a complete revamped roster. The Bruins are hoping to keep the excitement of their fans moving into the fall season. “It’s going to be a good season and – what do they say, get your popcorn ready?” Foster said. “So you get your popcorn ready. “UCLA fans that eat popcorn at the game will be ready to see if the Bruins can make big leap forward.