DeShaun Foster's Surprising Connection to Utah Football

UCLA's head coach almost played under Kyle Whittingham.

Oct 19, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster reacts during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Nowadays, DeShaun Foster is known for leading an improbable culture shift in Westwood as UCLA's head coach. Before that, a tenured running back in the NFL. Before that, a Bruins running back in his own.

But did you know that he could've played college ball for UCLA's 2025 Week 1 opponent? That's right, Utah gave Foster his first offer out of high school.

"Coach has been there for the last 20 years, and fun fact: I was told he was my first offer," Foster said to open up Monday's media availability. "It was actually his old running back coach, Q, so Quinton [Ganther] told me that coach told him that he was my first offer."

Feb 13, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; DeShaun Foster answers questions from media after he was introduced as the UCLA Bruins head football coach during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Did Foster ever consider playing for the Utes back in the day?

"I believe it was for defense," Foster said. "Yeah, this was probably my sophomore year, so it was for defense."

Foster went on to be a Bruins legend during his time in ICLA's backfield from 1998-2001, making UCLA's hall of fame in 2022. And now, he's making a name for himself as a head coach.

Why Utah is UCLA's Most Important Game

Sep 23, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; UCLA Bruins offense lines up against the Utah Utes defense in the fourth quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

UCLA's season opener against Utah is, in my opinion, the perfect storm for setting the tone on a new season headlined by massive acquisitions and change. The Bruins are going to be underdogs against the Utes. What better way to announce you're here than starting the season off with a bang?

A win over Utah not only sets the precedent for UCLA football for the rest of the season, but it also gives the Bruins a head start on a pretty favorable first half of the season.

Walk with me. If UCLA defeats Utah to open the season, further confirming the type of team many expect the Bruins to be, there is a realistic path to a 6-1 start, with wins over UNLV, New Mexico and Northwestern in the next three games, a penciled-in loss to Penn State after that, and then favorable matchups against Michigan State and Maryland after that.

It all starts with Week 1.

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