UCLA Football: Bruins Dip Into Transfer Portal for San Diego State Tackle
The NCAA Transfer Portal is red hot. UCLA is looking to bolster its offensive line in the form of current San Diego State sophomore offensive tackle Drew Azzopardi. The 6-7, 315-pound Azzopardi played two seasons at SDSU before entering the portal this week. He was the co-starting right tackle for the Aztecs this past season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
In addition to his UCLA offer, Azzopardi is also being courted by TCU, Washington, Kentucky, Houston, Oregon State, Cal, UNLV, and Arizona State. The University of Arizona was the lone power-five offer that Azzopardi had when he was coming out of Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, CA) in 2021.
UCLA extended the offer shortly after learning their depth along the offensive line was in jeopardy due to Jake Wiley's departure from UCLA into the transfer portal.
Azzopardi is a caliber of player who will push any Power 5 starter for playing time if he doesn't start. He's got tremendous length and above-average mobility out at tackle. He also packs a punch coming out of a three-point stance. His experience in San Diego State's run-first offense will translate well to Chip Kelly's run-heavy offense.
Azzopardi was a three-star prospect coming out of high school according to 247Sports. He elected to attend San Diego State after passing up on offers from Idaho, Idaho State, Portland State, Southern Utah, and Nevada. The Arizona offer he received coming out of high school was extended after Azzopardi had already committed to the Aztecs.
Don't forget to join our community at LA Sports Report, where we celebrate all things Bruins!