Dealing with injuries in spring practice, UCLA football heads into contention

“Hudson went down today,” coach DeShaun Foster said after practice. “Obviously a knee injury. We will have more information once we do some testing.”

Habermehl appeared in all 13 games for the Bruins last season, recording 148 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including a 29-yard, two-touchdown performance against USC.

“I hope for the best,” junior tight end Moliki Matavao said. “Hopefully it’s nothing bad. This is my husband – I’m praying for him.”

However, injury aside, Foster said he was pleased with the effort and energy his team put into the final practice of the second week of spring camp.

While the Bruins head coach referred to Saturday as “competition day,” he insisted that competition isn't just about action on the field.

“It’s the little things,” Foster said. “Do you compete with taking notes in the film room? Do you take part in competitions and watch films? Are you competing to be first in the building in your position group? … I'm just trying to get it across to the whole team – compete in everything you do. … When you live a life of competition, once you get here on the field, it’s easy.”

The Bruins started the day with one-on-one drills between some receivers and defensive backs before moving on to the Oklahoma-style linemen drills seen in previous practices. The players split into position-specific drills for about an hour, then switched to six-on-eight and 11-on-11 drills. The six-on-eight drill is a variation of the traditional seven-on-seven drill in which the defense has a two-man advantage.

Foster ended the day with an impromptu kick-return contest – not between players, but coaches. Cornerbacks coach Kodi Whitfield and wide receivers coach Erik Frazier took turns, while returns and tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel finally made a few punts.

“I just want a competitive atmosphere with coaches and players,” Foster said. “So let’s get the coaches in there too. That’s how you build real camaraderie – when you have people who are looking for trainers.”

Matavao seemed to agree.

“Competition brings out the best in all of us.”

Injury updates

Foster is still waiting to push redshirt-sophomore wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant.

“We’re just taking precautions with him,” Foster said. “He ran and stuff on the side, so he was active. But we didn’t really want people forcing him to run.”

Foster said redshirt freshman wide receiver Braden Pegan was dealing with a hamstring injury and may have aggravated it again on Saturday.

Foster added that redshirt senior linebacker Ale Kaho is expected to return to action next week.

Additionally, freshman running back Troy Leigber, a walk-on, was helped off the field after suffering an apparent knee injury Saturday.

Transfer portal

The NCAA's 15-day spring transfer window for students is scheduled to open April 15 and then close April, 30th.