WATCH: UCLA HC DeShaun Foster looks ahead to open practice
UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster addressed the media after Wednesday’s practice at Drake Stadium for the first time since the Bruins returned to campus earlier this week.
The most notable observation in the brief viewing window early in practice was the absence of receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Mikey Matthews. While the rest of the team took part in the team stretch, the two players were spotted without pads and doing individual work on the nearby intramural field.
Foster said Gilmer and Matthews were given a scheduled day off determined by the program’s use of Catapult technology. It helps monitor the wear and tear on players.
“They rested today,” Foster said.
The program is also waiting for the clearance of offensive lineman Tai Marks, a transfer from Tulsa who was originally expected to be at Hawaii this season. Marks was spotted at practice but was not in uniform.
Foster said Marks’ decision ultimately came down to a change of heart.
“He didn’t want to be there,” Foster said.
Now 10 days from the start of the season, UCLA will head to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for an open walkthrough practice Saturday that will be free for the public to attend.
Foster said the idea came from watching the UCLA gymnastics program put on a similar event.
“Looking forward to Saturday,” Foster said. “Have an opportunity to get in the Rose Bowl and show some of my new players the stadium, and just to have some of the fans come out and support us.”
UCLA will kick off the season Aug. 30 against former Pac-12 member Utah in a nonconference showdown at the Rose Bowl.
