COSTA MESA — Sixty-eight degrees, slightly cloudy and the crunch of pads provided a scenery not far off from fall camp in Westwood.
The weather was close to perfect on Wednesday, UCLA linebacker Isaiah Chisom said. The location, however, was different.
Offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri hopped down a line of stretching players – a group set to kick off its season Aug. 30 against Utah at the Rose Bowl – as he shouted directives in front of Costa Mesa city officials observing Day One of fall camp under a UCLA-branded tent at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in the Bruins’ first experience practicing off campus since 2016 in San Bernardino.
“Great eyes, great discipline,” chirped the former Indiana co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “Go make some plays.”
The plays began: Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran his first practice series – using a playbook coach DeShaun Foster said his redshirt sophomore signal caller had “pretty much grasped” – while much of the offense explored Sunseri’s scheme in game-like situations for the first time.
Junior running back Jaivian Thomas, a Cal transfer, showcased the explosiveness that Foster glowed over, bursting to the left in a red-zone situation for the end zone. The coach sang the praises of the Golden Bears’ leading rusher from a year ago, saying he will create a one-two punch with redshirt senior running back Jalen Berger.
“One word: elusive,” redshirt junior tight end Jack Pedersen said when asked how to describe Sunseri’s offense. “We got a lot of playmakers on this team, and I think we’ll surprise people.”
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Keanu Williams sparked energy in defensive drills, almost forcing defensive line coach Jethro Franklin to tumble to the ground with force.
UCLA is at the Chargers’ former training facility until Aug. 16, beginning fall camp away from Wasserman Football Center while it gets outfitted with a 100-yard grass field and two smaller turf fields.
Staying at a hotel eight minutes away from the training complex, Foster paired offensive players with defensive players in each room – forcing players not often in the same room or same drills to get to know each other better.
Chisom, an Oregon State sophomore transfer who tallied 75 tackles for the Beavers last year, called the decision a move that “builds brotherhood.”
Foster paired Pedersen with safety Croix Stewart. Chisom is rooming with running back Anthony Frias II. Tight end Hudson Habermehl, returning from a torn ACL that kept him off the field in 2024, is sharing a room with defensive back Key Lawrence, and so on.
Wrapping up the first day of practice in Costa Mesa – before a Thursday off day for summer exams – Chisom and Pedersen agreed on Iamaleava’s immediate impact. For the Bruins, the former Warren High star who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season might be the difference-maker.
“He slings it,” Pedersen said. “It’s nice, firm spiral, man, and guy doesn’t miss. He’s great. Literally, can’t say enough great things.”
Chisom focused on the leader that the former top-ranked recruit has become despite not partaking in spring camp, pointing to Iamaleavea along with longtime Bruins who have helped him settle in Westwood.
Why Iamaleava? Chisom said it’s pure confidence.
“You can tell that he knows that he’s good, and he’s about his business,” he said. “I feel like it’s as simple as that.”
Notes
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. remains out of action with a long-term injury. Foster said Flores is expected to return in October.
Freshman defensive lineman Robert James III watched on a scooter with a lower leg injury, while redshirt freshman wide receiver Jalen Saint Paul – an Oregon transfer – stood to the side away from the action.
Foster said redshirt senior Garrett DiGiorgio might flex his positional versatility at right guard and right tackle, as the offensive line unit led by coach Andy Kwon attempts to put the best five on the field at all times.
“I was nervous at first, you know, just following such a prestigious NFL coach [Juan Castillo], that was tough. I think I just got the right guy,” Foster said of Kwon. “He brings the energy. The kids gravitate to him. He’s a great recruiter, and they just believe. I’m excited for Andy, because he’s somebody who actually wants to prove that he’s a big-time O-Line coach. I kind of like that he has a chip on his shoulder.”
While Foster said backup quarterback was a wide-open competition, redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan followed Iamaleava’s reps during the open-to-media practice period.
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