Apologies for not being able to get a game preview together. Busy HS basketball championship season has had me running all around.

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The story:

'Saban shares (the) frustrations.

"What you have now isn't name, image and likeness," he said. "A collective has nothing to do with name, image and likeness."

What he suggested as a salve more closely resembles a traditional employer-employee relationship between school and athlete.'

Mick Cronin used many strong words, including embarrassed.

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The U.S. Postal Service had a ceremony Saturday afternoon to unveil the John Wooden commemorative forever stamp on its first-day-of-issue at the East Plaza outside Pauley Pavilion.

Hall of Famer Jamaal Wilkes served as the emcee for the event, which included several members of the Wooden family, UCLA chancellor Gene Block, USPS governor Derek Kan, former UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field and a surprise appearance from Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Others in attendance watching included UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close.

Some highlights:

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https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39135096/top-prospect-khaman-maluach-eligible-2025-draft

What are our chances to get him? Duke, Kentucky and G-League after him. He will be at Pauley today for Sc game.

The Bienemy OC rumor is gaining steam. I believe he could be a good source for recruiting but I worry he would be one and done.

Late last night and then this morning, UCLA defensive line coach Tony Washington Jr. offered a pair of edge rushers.

First, it was unranked Menlo (Calif.) Atherton HS edge rusher Devin Hyde on Tuesday night.

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Then, the Bruins continued to look to expand their national reach by offering three-star Cary (N.C.) Weddington HS edge rusher Trajen Odom.

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In a bit of a full-circle moment that was a catalyst for NIL profit in college sports, EA Sports has started opting in athletes to be part of the return for its college football franchise:

I didn't see that coming

As first reported by national reporter Matt Zenitz, UCLA general manager Darren Uscher is on the move again after a short stint with the Bruins. He will rejoin the staff at Oregon in a recruiting role after previously working with the Ducks. As Tracy previously alluded to, there was a possibility of this when DeShaun Foster was hired. After the decision to part ways with Ethan Young this week, the Bruins will start over as Foster continues to make notable changes in the recruiting department as he takes over.

Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, a three-year starter for Southern Methodist and a first-team All-AAC selection in 2023, has entered the portal as a grad transfer.

2026 pro-style QB Troy Huhn also picked up an offer Tuesday from UCLA. An update on him below.

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UCLA offensive line coach Tim Drevno offered a pair of 2025 offensive tackles Tuesday.

Four-star Josh Petty of Roswell (Ga.) Fellowship Christian School and three-star Garrison Blank of Rocklin, Calif. both announced their offers this morning.

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Jonathan Franklin??

Any word on new OC or replacement coaches?

Has anybody heard any names mentioned?
I still like Eric Bieniemy because of his ties to UCLA and the NFL.
Who are the candidates?

Player video of Will McClendon/Lazar Stefanovic still uploading.

Here’s Cronin:

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The first four were no-brainers like hire good coaches, recruit well, etc. but the fifth was interesting, get scholarship kickers. Makes sense

Here's a roundup of some top local recruits who will be taking the floor tonight as the CIF playoffs roll on plus a look ahead to some of the underclassmen already making noise. The Bruins are in a good spot with a handful of the top area prospects, and I caught up with them to discuss the latest.

The perspective from a handful of players on the emotions that came with learning Chip Kelly was looking to leave to the uncertainty of his predecessor up until the actual reveal in Monday’s team meeting:

Happened as I was driving home from Pauley:

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