Sometimes there is little warmth in welcome-back sentiments. At least, not on a cool and cloudy Tuesday morning. Making his practice return after a one-week absence, UCLA football defensive lineman Jay Toia dug his hand into the turf and squatted down at the line of scrimmage, getting set for a third play of 11-on-11 drills. Read more...

Photo: Junior defensive lineman Jay Toia holds his helmet while walking on the field with his teammates. (Jeremy Chen/Photo editor)

Student-athletes are also, well, students. Distinctive identities dwell in jerseys and helmets. But for two weeks in the spring, they become hot commodities in an athletic bazaar. Read more...

Photo: UCLA football coach DeShaun Foster watches practice at Spaulding Field. (Aidan Sun/Daily Bruin)

Ikaika Malloe remembers the day his walk-on status transformed into a scholarship. “I really cried,” UCLA football’s defensive coordinator said. “I cherish those moments, and I’ve always held that deep inside.” More than 25 years after his time as a Washington linebacker, one of Malloe’s players experienced the same transformation as his coach. Read more...

Photo: UCLA football defensive backs freshmen Kanye Clark (left) and redshirt senior Kenny Churchwell III (right) combine for a tackle on a Boise State player during the 2023 LA Bowl. (Jeremy Chen/Photo editor)