Amid the constantly shifting offensive line for UCLA across the fall, there’s been one Bruin whose place in the starting rotation appears certain.
Oluwafunto Akinshilo has split reps at center with Sam Yoon. Courtland Ford and Reuben Unije have been mixed in and out of the first-team walkthroughs. Garrett DiGiorgio appears at right tackle on some days and the opposite side of the line on others.
Julian Armella at right guard, however, has remained the same, seemingly certain.
The former four-star recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite, is searching for a college career refresh after seeing sporadic playing time across his first three seasons at Florida State. After being primarily a special teams player – blocking for field goals and punts for the Seminoles – the 6-foot-6, 320-pound redshirt junior appears primed for his first starting role in Westwood.
Guard is a switch for Armella, who trained as a tackle in the Southeastern Conference. He said recently that the adjustment had been fluid, and he is ready to jump back into his old position should depth issues arise.
Armella added that he’s also seen the cohesion of the offensive line grow over the fall with Nico Iamaleava behind center.
“It’s all just about locking in on the details, and I think this whole unit, from ones, twos and threes, has done a great job of being able to come out each day,” Armella said last week. “We’re gonna work, we’re gonna practice, we’re gonna meet – so embrace it.”
Between the uprights
Mateen Bhaghani wants more.
The junior has a chip on his shoulder, he said.
A year ago, Bhaghani nearly set a program record, notching the second-longest field-goal attempt with a 57-yarder against Iowa, and was one of the Bruins’ more efficient placekickers in recent history, converting 20 of 24 field-goal attempts and 20 of 20 extra-point attempts after transferring from Cal.
Yet, Bhaghani did not earn Big Ten honors. He remembers. And the San Diego native said he is ready to take his game to the next level.
“I’m always pushing myself just to get better, more consistent, get more range,” Bhaghani said last week. “I’m always shooting for, obviously, perfection, but just getting better every year, focusing on the day to day.”
Bhaghani said the plan is for punter Will Karoll, an Australian transfer from Tulane, to be his holder. Salem Abdul-Wahab will be the long snapper again this season.
“With a guy like Will, who’s been practicing it for a while, it’ll only take a couple of times going out there, and then we’ll be dialed in,” Bhaghani said when asked about building a comfort level with Karoll. “You know, to really just get that spot, like lean the ball how I want, but other than that it’s not super difficult.”
Open practice at the Rose Bowl
UCLA will host an open practice Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl
The event is open to attend at no cost, with free parking in Lot F. If fans want the full meet-and-greet experience – titled “Meet The Bruins” – the program is charging $100 for perks at the event.
Foster said that with the $100 package, fans can meet the team, get autographs from the players and get a look inside UCLA’s locker room.
The Bruins’ home opener against Utah is just one week away from Saturday’s practice and the sneak peek inside the Rose Bowl is also meant to ease the transition for the team’s new players – such as Iamaleava, who joined the team from Tennessee after spring practices – helping them get used to their home confines before the season gets underway.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday,” Foster said. “Have an opportunity to get in the Rose Bowl and show some of my new players the stadium, and just to have some of the fans come out and support us.”