DL Keanu Williams
Size: 6-4, 300
Year in 2023: Redshirt sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: The Oregon transfer was recruited by UCLA as a four-star prospect out of Clovis High, giving him some familiarity with the Bruins once he hit the transfer portal. Williams played sparingly in 2022, making two tackles and one pass breakup in six games, but he possesses enticing upside that could help him break into UCLA’s rotation next season.
Old Dominion offensive lineman Khadere Kounta lines up during a game in 2019.
(Andrew Shurtleff / Associated Press)
OT Khadere Kounta
Size: 6-6, 306
Year in 2023: Senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A candidate to start immediately at left tackle for the Bruins, the Old Dominion transfer combines excellent size and power. He started every game for the Monarchs at that position last season, helping running back Blake Watson rush for a school-record 259 yards and three touchdowns against Coastal Carolina.
Ball State’s Carson Steele leaps over Tennessee defensive back Warren Burrell as he’s chased by linebacker Aaron Beasley.
(Wade Payne / Associated Press)
RB Carson Steele
Size: 6-1, 215
Year in 2023: Junior.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two (plus a redshirt).
Buzz: The Bruins might have found their replacement for Zach Charbonnet in a dynamic tailback who ran for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns last season at Ball State, earning first team All-Mid-American Conference honors. Steele should be an instant magnet for attention given his long flowing locks and pet alligator, Crocky-J, who resides in his childhood home in Greenwood, Ind. Combining vision with speed and strength, Steele has been called “Man of Steele,” among other nicknames, reportedly having been able to squat 400 pounds by the eighth grade.
K Blake Glessner
Size: 6-2, 180
Year in 2023: Junior.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
Buzz: A likely successor to Nicholas Barr-Mira, Glessner set single-season school records for field goals (24) and points (143) in 2022 at Montana State. Glessner made 24 of 30 field goals after having made 20 of 26 as a freshman in 2021.
Kent State quarterback Collin Schlee looks to pass against Wyoming during the 2021 Idaho Potato Bowl.
(Steve Conner / Associated Press)
QB Collin Schlee
Size: 6-3, 213
Year in 2023: Redshirt senior.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
Buzz: The Kent State transfer joins an increasingly crowded quarterback room after a prolific season in which he finished 10th in school history in passing yards (2,109) and touchdown passes (13) and fifth in completion percentage (59%). A dual threat who also ran for 492 yards and five touchdowns, Schlee will presumably battle Ethan Garbers, Justyn Martin and any high school quarterbacks the Bruins are able to snag before next season for the starting spot in 2023.
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) throws under pressure from California linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo. Now Oladejo is poised to join the Bruins.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo
Size: 6-3, 255
Class in 2023: Junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Cal transfer known for his versatility and reliable tackling could immediately fortify the Bruins’ defense after finishing the 2022 season with 91 tackles and 4 1/2 tackles for loss, including a career-high 17 tackles against UCLA.
Edge Jake Heimlicher
Size: 6-4, 245
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: After leading the Ivy League with nine sacks in his final season at Penn, the first-team all-conference performer appears ready for a significant step up in competition. Heimlicher could either replace — or complement — fellow edge rushers Laiatu Latu and Grayson and Gabriel Murphy, depending on their decisions whether to return for 2023 or opt for the NFL draft. Any crafty move resulting in a big play could immediately be dubbed “the Heimlicher maneuver.”
P Will Powers
Size: 6-2, 210
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: The Manhattan Beach native is coming home as the Bruins continue their pursuit of an All-Ivy League team on the West Coast. Powers averaged 39.7 yards per punt this season on the way to becoming an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection. He’ll presumably take over the punting duties from Nicholas Barr-Mira, who is in the transfer portal.
G Spencer Holstege
Size: 6-5, 310
Year in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2020, the Purdue transfer should significantly bolster what could be a depleted interior offensive line with the departure of UCLA guard Atonio Mafi and the possible exodus of Jon Gaines II should he elect to not utilize his final season of eligibility. Holstege was rated as the top pass blocking guard in the Big Ten this season by Pro Football Focus after not allowing one sack.
Army running back Anthony Adkins reacts against Wake Forest during the first half on Oct. 23, 2021, in West Point, N.Y.
(Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
RB Anthony Adkins
Size: 6-1, 245
Year in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A bruising style running back, the Army transfer will be among the candidates to get a significant number of carries upon the departure of Zach Charbonnet. In 2021, the last season he played, Adkins ran for 355 yards and five touchdowns in 76 carries for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He sat out 2022 after entering the transfer portal before the season.
Oregon tight end Moliki Matavao runs the ball against Eastern Washington during the first quarter on Sept. 10 in Eugene, Ore.
(Andy Nelson / Associated Press)
TE Moliki Matavao
Size: 6-6, 240
Year in 2023: Junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A day after onetime Oregon commit quarterback Dante Moore switched his allegiance to UCLA, Matavao made a similar move in announcing his transfer to become a Bruin. Now Matavao will be able to catch passes from Moore at the Rose Bowl instead of Autzen Stadium. Last season, Matavao made 10 catches for 134 yards and one touchdown.
California wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, left, is transferring to UCLA.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
WR J. Michael Sturdivant
Size: 6-3, 205
Year in 2023: Redshirt sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: Whoever wins UCLA’s starting quarterback job now has his go-to guy in the California transfer who immediately becomes the Bruins’ top receiving threat. Combining top-notch speedand route running, Sturdivant was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection by conference coaches after a debut season in which he led the Golden Bears with 65 catches for seven touchdowns while ranking second on the team 755 receiving yards.
Bowling Green safety Jordan Anderson is transferring to UCLA.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
S Jordan Anderson
Size: 5-10, 200
Year in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility reaming: One
Buzz: One of the top defensive backs in the transfer portal, Anderson figures to plug in as a replacement for the Bruins’ two departing safeties. The former Bowling Green standout is not only strong in coverage but can also disrupt in the backfield, having made three tackles for loss against New Mexico State in the Quick Lane Bowl. Anderson made four tackles when he faced the Bruins in September at the Rose Bowl and snagged an interception to go with his seven tackles against Eastern Kentucky.
OL Caleb Walker
Size: 6-5, 295
Year in 2023: Sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three (plus redshirt)
Buzz: One of the top junior college offensive linemen on the transfer market, the former Visalia College of the Sequoias tackle should immediately bolster a team that needs a new starter at that position with the departure of Raiqwon O’Neal. Walker is expected to enroll in time to participate in spring practice and compete for one of the most important roles on the Bruins’ offense.
