Few believed DeShaun Foster could replicate Chip Kelly’s successes when he began coaching at his alma mater.
And while the Bruins finished the 2024 season with their worst record since 2019 – barring the 2020 season, where COVID-19 restrictions meant they played just seven games – their team performance was not indicative of individual talent.
Five graduates of UCLA football’s 2024 roster took part in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and Senior Bowl over the last few weeks: defensive lineman Jay Toia, tight end Moliki Matavao and linebacker trio Oluwafemi Oladejo, Kain Medrano and Carson Schwesinger. The Bruins’ backers shined the brightest, with Oladejo’s performance at both events earning him a late first-round or early second-round projection in April’s NFL Draft.
Oladejo made his presence known on the second day of Senior Bowl practice – demonstrating his versatility as both an inside and outside linebacker. The Elk Grove, California, local played his first two collegiate seasons commanding the middle of the defense – garnering 123 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception before moving to outside linebacker in his senior campaign.
(Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
Former Bruin linebacker Kain Medrano runs out on the field at the Rose Bowl. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
The former Bruin posted 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in his first season on the edge, showcasing his adaptability. While he may lack experience and technique as a pass rusher, his athleticism and versatility may allow him to get drafted as high as the 28th pick, where ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has him going to the Detroit Lions.
While Oladejo exceeded expectations on the practice field, Medrano turned heads at the Combine – particularly in the 40-yard dash. The Pueblo, Colorado, local boasted a 4.46- second time on the sprint, making him the fastest linebacker at the event. While Medrano is predicted to go undrafted this year, he ranked fourth among linebackers by athleticism score at the Combine and could still make the league as a free agent.
Although injuries hobbled the majority of his collegiate career, Medrano had a productive five seasons in Westwood. His best was arguably this past season, where he recorded 72 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions – including a 38-yard pick-six against Nebraska on Nov. 2.
(Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who walked on the team as a freshman, walks on the field beside Medrano. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
Medrano’s inside linebacker counterpart and Dick Butkus Award Finalist Schwesinger made waves for his words on the podium. Reporters posed a myriad of questions about his nontraditional journey to the NFL Draft – one that started as a walk-on in Westwood and ended with him leading the Big Ten in tackles last season with 136.
Schwesinger’s UCLA career had a fairytale ending – featuring four sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions in his redshirt junior campaign. Schwesinger is expected to hear his name in the middle rounds of the Draft, with some mocks putting him as high as the 64th pick with the Philadelphia Eagles – the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Meanwhile, Toia will head into the Draft ranked as the 309th overall prospect and the 34th-ranked interior defensive lineman, while Matavao – who posted 55 catches and 789 receiving yards in his two seasons in Westwood – is ranked as the 17th-best tight end and 247th overall prospect.
The first round of the Draft will begin April 24, with rounds two and three coming Friday and four through seven finishing April 26.