UCLA football’s offensive line struggled in the 2024 season. Injuries prevented the Bruins from establishing consistency when they needed it the most, which led to too many sacks and not enough positive yardage in the pass and run games.
The Bruins will have a new quarterback under center next season and have solid pieces returning at the skill positions. They also have a new offensive coordinator in Tino Sunseri and a new offensive line coach in Andy Kwon, creating a spring that is ripe for rebuilding.
“Coach Kwon is an up-and-coming young coach who has already shown an ability to effectively teach while relating to his players,” head coach DeShaun Foster said in a press release. “As a former center, he knows the ins and outs of the line and I know he can’t wait to put in work with our guys.”
Kwon will have four transfers from Power Five conferences to work with as well as returning starters Sam Yoon and Garrett DiGiorgio as UCLA reshapes its offensive line again — this time, hopefully, for good.
Here’s a full breakdown of UCLA’s offensive line entering spring practice, the third in a six-part series examining the post-portal outlook for every part of the roster.
Offensive line
Returning: Michael Carmody, R-Jr.; Jensen Somerville, Fr.; Jack Clarke, R-Fr.; Michael Sultemeier, Fr.; Kory Symington, R-Fr.; Sam Yoon, R-So.; Devin Delgado, R-Jr.; Yutaka Mahe, R-Jr.; Noah Pulealii, R-Jr.; Oluwafunto Akinshilo, R-Jr.; Caleb Walker, R-Jr.; Garrett DiGiorgio, R-Jr.; Alani Makihele, R-Jr.; Mark Schroller, Fr.; Marquise Thorpe-Taylor, Fr.; Walker Anderson, Fr.
Arriving: Eugene Brooks (transfer, Oklahoma), Ty’Kieast Crawford (transfer, Arkansas), Julian Armella (transfer, FSU), Courtland Ford (transfer, Kentucky), Garrison Blank (three-star 2025 signee), Nehemiah Johnson (three-star 2025 signee)
Departing: Tavake Tuikolovatu (transfer, Kansas), Niki Prongos (transfer, Stanford), Dovid Magna (exhausted eligibility), Josh Carlin (NFL draft), Reuben Unije (exhausted eligibility), Spencer Holstege (exhausted eligibility), Jaylan Jeffers (exhausted eligibility)
Top questions
Speed or power?
The previous offensive coaching staff had bulked up the offensive line in anticipation of playing bigger opponents in the Big Ten Conference, but the success of that decision is debatable. Injuries spread across the line and lingered throughout the season and it was unable to consistently protect quarterback Ethan Garbers. UCLA also struggled to produce yards in the run game, ending the season with an average of 86.6 yards per game.
Kwon may choose to build a more athletic line. The Bruins used that strategy in their final year of the Pac-12 Conference under Chip Kelly and produced 197.9 yards per game as well as 229.15 passing yards per game.
Who will be at center?
This is a perennial question, but one that has heightened significance after UCLA’s unique setup on the line in the 2024 season. Josh Carlin had moved from center to right guard but still called the plays even though Sam Yoon was the new starting center.
Yoon could continue to play the position but the incoming transfers could be worth trying out. Although Ty’Kieast Crawford isn’t a true center, the four-star lineman has experience and athleticism that could win over the coaching staff and his teammates.
The group X-factor
Fresh leadership in the offensive lineman room will benefit the group. Kwon is a former center who comes from Arkansas State, which averaged more than 150 rushing yards a game in each of the last two seasons. The Bruins have the chance to start anew on the offense with a new position coach and plenty of new talent.