Robert James injury update: DeShaun Foster announces UCLA DL will miss 2025 season with injury

UCLA freshman defensive lineman Robert James will miss the 2025 season due to an undisclosed injury, according to coach DeShaun Foster. James was seen riding on a scooter during recent team practices and activities, which caused Foster to be asked about his status in a Saturday press conference.

“He’s going to be out. He’s out, unfortunately,” Foster said.

James played high school football at Junipero Serra (CA), where he was a three-star recruit. He ranked as the No. 1,290 overall player and No. 124 defensive lineman in the 2025 cycle according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

Robert James was one of two defensive lineman that UCLA signed in this past recruiting class along with fellow three-star Tyler Partlow. Both with expected to play reserve roles in their first season, with a redshirt season a real possibility as it is for all true freshmen.

Now it would appear that James will be forced to head that direction due to injury. He’ll likely look to use this year to rehab and adjust to college life before coming back next season stronger and ready to make an impact.

In the meantime, UCLA will likely lean on returning players Gary Smith III and Siale Taupaki to hold things down at the defensive tackle positions this season. The Bruins open their season on Aug. 30 against Utah.

Rice DL transfer Jalen Hargrove commits to UCLA

UCLA also added a defensive lineman at the start of August as Rice DL Jalen Hargrove has committed to transfer to Los Angeles, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. As a redshirt senior entering the 2025 season, Hargrove is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining with the Bruins.

The 6-foot-4, 317-pound Hargrove has seen action in 19 total games over the past two seasons at Rice, contributing mostly on special teams during that time. He had one career tackle last season against Texas Southern.

Hargrove went to high school at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, where he was a three-star recruit, the No. 9 player in Connecticut and No. 152 defensive lineman in the 2021 class according to Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all three primary media services.

Hargrove’s commitment gives the Bruins 32 total transfers in its 2025 transfer class, which ranked 14th according to the On3 | Rivals Transfer Portal Team Rankings. UCLA had the nation’s 41st-ranked recruiting class of the 2025 cycle, according the Rivals Industry Team Ranking, after landing 21 commits.

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.