Eric Bieniemy believes UCLA’s offense is on track ahead of inaugural Big Ten season

The UCLA football team continues to find its stride under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who is installing a different offense in Westwood for the first time in six years.

The Colorado alumnus returned to the college coaching ranks for the first time since 2012 when he was last an offensive coordinator at his alma mater.

“We are right where we need to be,” Bieniemy said. “We are just taking the process slow.”

The Bruins remain in an evaluation process as the coordinator continues to become more familiar with the talent on the roster.

The return of quarterback Ethan Garbers, running back T.J. Harden and receiver J.Michael Sturdivant helps provide some stability and a foundation at the skilled positions to build around for the upcoming season.

The Bruins averaged 26.46 points per game and finished the 2023 season with 5,552 total yards and 45 touchdowns under Chip Kelly’s direction.

The offensive line continues to be among the biggest overhauls throughout the offseason.

Redshirt senior Josh Carlin has made the switch from starting right guard to center in recent months.

“I made the transition (halfway through) spring ball,” Carlin said. “I’m excited. I used to play center in high school, it’s the general of the O-line, so I look forward to a great year.”

Carlin is joined by junior right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio and senior left guard Spencer Holstege as returning pieces up front. UCLA did surround them with new faces, hiring new coach Juan Castillo and adding four linemen from the transfer portal.

Redshirt junior guard Alani Makihele (UNLV) and redshirt senior tackle Reuben Unije (Houston) could be among the most notable additions looking to compete for starting roles.

“We have some O-linemen we want to develop, we have some quarterbacks we need to see, we have some running backs that are new to the program that we’re working on and some receivers working on some things,” Bieniemy said.

There aren’t many position battles expected throughout training camp but it will be important to solidify the tight end position behind tight end Moliki Matavao, who started six of the 13 games he played in for the Bruins last season.

Redshirt senior Hudson Habermehl also shared reps at tight end last year but will be unavailable after tearing his ACL during the spring. He has continued to progress from the injury and recently got off his crutches but remains unlikely to play this season.

Bieniemy has acknowledged his players’ improvements since meeting them in the spring but believes it will take a collective effort to build chemistry as a unit in order to have success this year.

Garbers and the offense finished spring camp on a “high note,” according to Bieniemy and credits the players for continuing to build on that momentum throughout the summer with their player-led meetings and workouts.

“Ethan and the players ran some installs and guys got an opportunity to go out there and repeat what we did in the spring,” Bieniemy said. “There’s a lot more familiarity so guys are going out and playing a little faster with more confidence. It’s been fun to watch.”

RECRUITING TRAIL

On the same day UCLA officially became a member of the Big Ten Conference, the Bruins also received a commitment from offensive lineman Nehemiah Johnson.

The interior offensive lineman from Orange Lutheran High is listed at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds.

Johnson impressed Castillo and the UCLA coaching staff enough during the Bruins’ prospect camp in June to receive a scholarship offer. Johnson’s only other public offer was from Massachusetts.

He is the second offensive line commit for the Bruins’ 2025 recruiting class, joining Garrison Blank of Rocklin High. The Bruins’ recruiting class is currently ranked No. 43 overall, by 247sports, with 16 total commitments.

The Bruins have three true freshman offensive linemen on the roster from the 2024 class that was ranked No. 44 in the nation (10 high school commits and 21 transfers). UCLA made a late addition to the class with running back Jalen Berger.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back is no stranger to the Big Ten Conference, having spent time at both Wisconsin (2021) and Michigan State (2021-2023).

“Berger is limited because he just got here,” Coach DeShaun Foster said. “It’s just about getting him acclimated and seeing (what) his conditioning is. He got a couple of workouts in with us but I can’t just throw him out there yet.”