By Mark Pszonak
With the departure of Chip Kelly to Ohio State, UCLA players now have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal. Numerous players will be contacted by other schools with the hope that they make themselves available, but here are the five who will be the busiest:
WR J. Michael Sturdivant
The skinny: There was thought that Sturdivant might enter this spring’s NFL Draft, but he announced in January that he would be returning to the Bruins in 2024. Now he might be looking for a new home and shouldn’t have any problems finding one after totaling 101 receptions for 1,352 yards and 11 touchdowns during his last two seasons.
Schools to watch: Colorado, Washington, Arizona State, Arizona, Utah
RB TJ Harden
The skinny: A season after flashing his potential during his true freshman season, he followed that up in 2023 by rushing for 827 yards and eight touchdowns despite splitting carries with Carson Steele. He was likely to be the lead back in 2024 with the Bruins, but now with a new coach coming in might he consider a transfer to further enhance those chances at a new school?
Schools to watch: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Michigan State, Oregon State, Washington State, Cal
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OL Garrett DiGiorgio
The skinny: If a P5 offensive tackle becomes available who has started his last 26 games, you can be assured that there will be a line of schools preparing to pitch him their best offer. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder would be extremely busy.
Schools to watch: Utah, Cal, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington
TE Moliki Matavao
The skinny: Matavao, who transferred in from Oregon prior to the 2023 season, only had 14 receptions during his one season with the Bruins but averaged an impressive 20.2 yards per grab. That, along with his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame, would make him an interesting addition to the portal if he decided to make himself available.
Schools to watch: USC, Tennessee, Washington, Arizona State, Colorado, Florida State, Ohio State
DB Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins
The skinny: The Bruins signed several talented Class of 2024 freshmen, but the choice here is Dunbar-Hawkins as the one who would draw the most interest if he became available. While he committed to UCLA more than a year ago and seemed very solid, he did take an unofficial visit to Louisville a couple of weeks before National Signing Day. Might this situation cause him to take another look around?
Schools to watch: Louisville, Penn State, Texas A&M, Texas, USC
