LOS ANGELES — UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia announced on social media Thursday morning that he is entering the transfer portal.
“As I prepare to graduate from UCLA…After speaking with my parents and family I have decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal as of last night,” Toia wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The announcement was somewhat unexpected after head coach DeShaun Foster’s conversation with reporters Tuesday.
“I don’t think we have too many guys unhappy or anything like that,” Foster said. “I have an open door, so come talk to me. If you’re upset about something, you want to know about where your depth is, anything, come talk to me and we can figure it out from there.”
Foster added that no one on the team had approached him to have any of those discussions.
The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Toia, who played at Grace Brethren High in Simi Valley and transferred from USC in 2021, started in 12 games during the 2023 season. He collected 28 total tackles and four tackles for a loss in 18 games. His departure adds to the depletion of the Bruins’ defense, which has already lost valuable pass rushers in Gabriel Murphy, Grayson Murphy and Laiatu Latu, who all declared for the NFL draft.
Without Toia, UCLA’s first-team defense during Thursday morning’s spring practice consisted of Jacob Busic, Keanu Williams, Steven Havili-Kaufusi and Devin Aupiu on the line. Second-team defense featured Tannen Vagle, Siale Taupaki, Michael Sullivan and Collins Acheampong.
Friday Night Lights
The Bruins will get to experience the first night practice of their careers at UCLA on Friday evening as part of Friday Night Lights, a new concept introduced by Foster.
The open practice will start at 7 p.m. and parents, donors, alumni and recruits have been encouraged to come out. Foster said stands will be set up in the parking deck that overlooks the practice facility and that the atmosphere will be like “a carnival on the field.”
“Some of the best football that (recruits) have played to this point was on Friday nights,” Foster said. “That was the huge thing when you’re in high school. So let’s put them back under that and let’s get the fans to come out and have a nice scene and put some good football out.”
The coach has said roughly 2,000 recruits have come out to a practice so far this spring. The Friday practice will feature lots of competitive periods and will be structured similarly to a Saturday practice.
Running back TJ Harden told reporters Thursday that the anticipation leading up to Friday has been similar to what he felt in high school.
“All day in high school, at school I’ll just be ready, listening to music, getting locked in,” Harden said. “Just the excitement that’s all built up for what’s gonna happen later in the night. It should bring it back to that memory tomorrow for sure.”
Ale Kaho fully participates
Linebacker Ale Kaho was seen as a full participant in Thursday morning’s practice. He participated in individual work and sideline sprints in the week prior and hasn’t played in a game since Sept. 2 against Coastal Carolina.
Safety Ramon Henderson and receiver J.Michael Sturdivant were also fully participating in practice. Donavyn Pellot, who has a torn ACL, was seen on the sidelines with a full compressive sleeve on his right leg.
Hudson Habermehl and Troy Leigber were not seen at practice. Foster confirmed Tuesday that each had an ACL tear.
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Castillo embracing college football
New offensive line coach Juan Castillo joined UCLA this spring after 30 seasons in the NFL – 18 of which were spent with the Philadelphia Eagles. He coached UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy when he was an NFL running back in Philadelphia.
Working with college players seems to be refreshing for Castillo, who told reporters Thursday that teaching and correcting to develop consistency has been an emphasis for him this spring.
“It’s exciting just being around the young kids and being able to teach them and they say, ‘Appreciate you, Coach,’ and ‘Thank you, Coach.’ And then they call you ‘Coach.’ I’m used to being called Juan,” Castillo said, smiling. “It’s almost like they’re my kids.”