UCLA football: 3 newcomers that will have the biggest impacts in 2023

Chip Kelly has been on an upward trajectory with UCLA football for a couple of years now and many believe that the 2023 season could be his best yet.

Although the Bruins are losing Dorian Thompson-Robinson, they’re bringing in Kent State quarterback transfer Collin Schlee and five-star Dante Moore to compete with Ethan Garbers for the starting job this season. No one is too worried about the quarterback position taking a step back with that trio.

The Bruins are bringing in a top 25 recruiting class to go along with the No. 6 class of transfers in college football. Which of these newcomers will help the Bruins compete for a Pac-12 title in their last season in the conference?

A former All-MAC defensive back will be starting in the secondary for UCLA next season and he’s exactly what this defense needs.

Jordan Anderson had a successful four-year career at Bowling Green before deciding to spend his grad transfer year in the Pac-12. He was on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list in 2022, he was a preseason first-team All-MAC selection by multiple publications, and he was named to the All-MAC third team in 2021.

Over the course of his Bowling Green career, he racked up 180 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 20 pass breakups. He’s going to add an upgrade to that UCLA secondary at the safety position and he could be a legit All-Pac-12 candidate right away.