Bruins Sharing Collective Chip on Shoulder Throughout Camp

Mikey Matthews detailed how every UCLA player has something to prove going into the season.

Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster greets his players after a Bruins touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the third quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

If you were to ask any UCLA player what their goal is entering the 2025 season, they'd say a championship. And that's the same type of mindset being instilled all throughout the locker room, no matter how much of an underdog the Bruins are.

How couldn't they? Coming off a 5-7 record in its first season in the Big Ten and under coach DeShaun Foster, a slew of national pundits don't feel UCLA improved much this offseason, despite shaking the college football landscape in the transfer portal, landing Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

The Bruins are holding fall camp off-site in Costa Mesa, and are living and breathing football 24/7, but they don't care. Mikey Matthews, another transfer from Cal, detailed the sentiment during Saturday's media availability.

"We all have a chip on our shoulder," Matthews said. "We all love football, so it's not like we're all complaining or, 'Why are we doing this? Why are we doing that?' It's everyone just locked in, heads down and we're all just grinding. So, I'm really excited for this year, and I definitely feel this team is special."

Take it from Matthews. He's a well-traveled junior slot receiver. Before being a Golden Bear last season, he spent his freshman year with Utah, where he played in all 12 games with the Utes as a 4-star freshman, starting in six of them. He caught 29 passes for 261 yards, returned 15 kicks for 309 yards and returned 17 punts for 75 yards.

Matthews comes in at the slot for UCLA and will be one of Nico Iamaleava's main targets all season.

Matthews' Former Utes

The Bruins face Matthews' former team on Aug. 30 to open up the season, and he can't wait to take on some of his former teammates.

Nov 11, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Mikey Matthews (0) during warmups prior to the game against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

"I'm excited, man," Matthews said during. "Because it's the same defense, not the same offense. All my boys are over there, so I'm going to definitely text the group chat and let them know we're going to work them.

"Those are all my guys, though, so it's definitely going to be really fun playing against them, especially in the Rose Bowl, and I'm really excited."

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