Pasadena, CA- 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 but for the fans in attendance they enjoyed the event.
A few UCLA alums were in attendance including former Minnesota Viking Anthony Barr and 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.
It was then time for those in attendance to get their first look at the Bruins football team in action.
Once again the event wasn’t 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 Deshaun Foster said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. The guys approached spring the right way. Coming off of 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.
Today’s showcase brought an end to spring play for the Bruins who are looking forward to the summer where players like 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 he 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 to carry over to upcoming season.
“It’s gonna be a good season and — what do they say, get your popcorn ready?” Foster said. “So you get your popcorn ready.”
Popcorn will be ready to see if UCLA can make a jump forward.
