UCLA senior defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia became the first Bruin to officially declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
As a result of the decision, he’ll forgo any remaining college eligibility available.
“With the college All-Star games and the NFL combine just around the corner, I will focus on my rehab for an injury that I’ve played with most of the season and begin my draft preparation,” Ogbonnia said in a statement on Twitter.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Ogbonnia has proven to be a durable player for the Bruins, competing in all 43 UCLA games during his four years with the program. He started 25 of them, including all 12 this season while never showing a significant sign of an injury.
The senior did not participate in Monday’s practice, after the Bruins (8-4 overall, 6-3 Pac-12) returned from a week off to begin preparing to face North Carolina State in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Diego.
He finishes this season with 30 total tackles (five for a loss), two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for the Bruins.
Ogbonnia was honored among the seniors during a ceremony held before the regular-season finale against Cal on Nov. 27. The Bruins expected other draft-eligible players to declare for the draft in the coming weeks.
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Ogbonnia also competed as a member of the 2018-19 UCLA track and field team, throwing the discus and the shot put.
COACHING CHANGE
Arizona officially announced the hiring of UCLA outside linebackers coach Jason Kaufusi, but the Wildcats did not declare what position he’ll be responsible for other than being a member of the defensive coaching staff.
Kaufusi is the second UCLA position coach to join Jedd Fisch’s staff this season, following defensive line coach Johnny Nansen, who was named Arizona’s defensive coordinator on Dec. 1.
UCLA has had four position coaches leave the program for Arizona in the past two years.
ANOTHER ONE
Freshman receiver Keontez Lewis announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Sunday. He became the 11th Bruin to transfer since the game against Cal.
Lewis started one game, against Utah, of the 11 games he played in this season but didn’t make a reception.