Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA Football: Wide Receiver Returns to Running Back Position, Explosive Plays Unparalleled

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated 4/3/24

UCLA Football head coach DeShaun Foster told the LA Times that his top priority in his previous role as running backs coach was to make sure he could re-recruit Keegan Jones. Jones entered the transfer portal, and committed to UConn, before rejoining the Bruins in mid-January.

“They took one of my toys away from me,” Foster said. “I got him back.”

UCLA Football To Move Keegan Jones Back To RB. Up his Usage

Jones is back in Westwood and Foster is moving him back to his old position after being used mostly as a slot receiver last season. Foster not only wants him to be utilized differently, he also wants to utilize him a lot more, possibly challenging TJ Harden for the starting role. Jones saw just 11 targets and 14 carries last season. Despite flashing when given the chance. He had two touchdowns against Washington State and led all running backs with 10.9 yards per carry.

“His explosive plays to touches is unmatched,” Foster said, “so it’s just somebody that, you know, we can use in this offense and going into the conference that we’re going into, I don’t know if they have a lot of guys with that type of speed.”

UCLA Football will have to replace Carson Steele’s production in the offense now that Carson Steele has left college football for the NFL Draft.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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