DL Toia to stay at UCLA after portal flirtation
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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Elder WriterApr 22, 2024, 11:49 PM ET
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- College football reporter.
- Signed up with ESPN.com in 2008.
- Graduate of Northwestern University.UCLA’s defense got a substantial increase Monday night when lineman Jay Toia, who had announced his objective to enter the transfer portal, said he would stay with the Bruins in 2024. Toia made his statement on social media through UCLA, which estimated him as stating,”Bruin Nation! I’m Back! I’m Prepared to Finish what I Started! “He had posted Thursday on social networks that he prepared to go into the website as he neared graduation from UCLA.The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Toia, who started his career at USC, has actually started 24 games over the past two seasons for UCLA. He had 28 tackles, consisting of four for loss and a sack, last fall as the Bruins ended up No. 2 nationally versus the run and No. 14 in points enabled. He had 30 tackles, consisting of three for loss, and a forced fumble in 2022. Toia’s choice strengthens a UCLA protective line currently losing Laiatu Latu, a predicted first-round choice in this week’s NFL draft, along with linemen Gabriel and Grayson Murphy. The three combined for 26 sacks, 46.5 deals with for loss and 29 quarterback rushes. Toia will rejoin starting defensive deal with Keanu Williams, experienced Gary Smith III and others.Toia will once again play under Ikaika Malloe, who coached UCLA’s protective line in 2015 and has actually been
promoted to protective planner for the 2024 season.