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Tim Skipper reveals no UCLA players have yet decided to opt-out, redshirt

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/30/25griffin_mcveigh
UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper
UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper walks on the field during practice on Sept. 17, 2025. (Matt Moreno | BruinBlitz)

UCLA made the move earlier than others but is one of the few programs without a head coach at the moment. Deshaun Foster got fired following a loss to New Mexico, only for Tim Skipper to take over. Now, entering Saturday’s game against Penn State, questions about player eligibility are being asked.

Four games are the most someone can play while still preserving a redshirt. And given UCLA’s situation, seeing a few guys exercise the right might not be too big of a surprise. However, Skipper does not believe anyone will wind up sitting out the final eight games of the year. Right now, the goal is to get on the board for the Bruins’ first win of 2025.

“Nobody has told me that at this point,” Skipper said. “As you know, this is totally fluid. It’s going to be fluid through the rest of the season, as far as when you get to your fourth game, decide to keep going. My whole thing on that is, that’s the rules. If guys decide to do that, we’re not going to hold them hostage. They can go ahead and do that.

“We’re coaching them hard, we’re showing them a blueprint to go win games. That’s what we’re going to do. People who want to be a part of it stay and guys that choose to go the other way, go the other way. But right now, that’s not been a big emphasis in anything we’re doing day-to-day. It’s getting better and trying to get us a win.”

Not everybody on the roster currently has four games on the resume. Some redshirts might wind up occurring naturally, as with any team out there. A bigger spotlight gets put on UCLA due to the program’s current situation and modern use of the NCAA transfer portal.

Skipper appears laser-focused on finding a way to stack a few wins together. Penn State is as difficult a test remaining on the schedule. The Nittany Lions are a top team in the Big Ten and fresh off a heartbreaking loss to Oregon in double overtime. James Franklin knows his bunch needs to get back on the right path.

The home/road split is four each, including three tips out East. UCLA catches a break not having to travel very far in the season finale, facing the USC Trojans on Nov. 29. The roster might look a whole lot different then but right now, Skipper expects everyone to remain bought in.