Myles Jackson announced his intentions on social media to leave UCLA’s football program on Sunday and enter the transfer portal to explore his options for 2022.
Jackson is a redshirt freshman and will have four years of eligibility left. He was listed as an outside linebacker behind Mitchell Agude on the depth chart for a second consecutive season.
The announcement comes one day after the Bruins beat Cal 42-14 at the Rose Bowl for the regular season finale.
Jackson suffered a knee injury as a true freshman during the 2020 season-opener against Colorado. The injury required surgery and Jackson missed the final six games of the COVID-19 shortened season.
In May, UCLA coach Chip Kelly praised Jackson for overcoming the injury working his way back into the rotation for the 2021 season.
“The thing that has jumped out to me about Myles has been his attitude and mindset,” Kelly said before this season. “He has a maturity about him. The stage wasn’t too big for him.”
Jackson recorded six total tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery throughout the seven games he played this season.
Kelly mentioned, during media availability on Nov. 24, the possibility for a lot of movement across the country to begin Sunday involving the transfer portal.
“I think it’s going to blow up,” Kelly said. “Every FBS school will be done playing by Sunday, with the only teams playing are those in the (conference) championship games.”
On Monday, true freshman edge rusher A.J. Campbell Jr. became the second Bruin to announce his departure from the program.
The former three-star recruit played in just one game this season.
“This has been an experience I will never forget and I have built bonds that will last a lifetime,” Campbell said in a Twitter post. “Unfortunately, my situation here did not work out and I have decided to enter into the transfer portal.”
Campbell will have four years of eligibility and is open to any opportunity.
“I understand it,” Kelly said before any departures were announced. “(It’s) an individual decision kids will make and for us our whole mindset has always been ‘if that’s your decision how can we help you?’”
WEEKLY HONORS
Agude and left guard Paul Grattan Jr. received weekly conference honors for their performance against Cal.
Agude was named defensive lineman of the week. He had five tackles and recorded a sack on Cal quarterback Chase Garbers for a five-yard loss.
Grattan was voted as offensive lineman of the week. He provided protection up front, along with the other linemen, to assist in the 100-yard rushing effort by both running back Zach Charbonnet and Thompson-Robinson.
The quarterback also threw for three touchdowns and was not sacks by the Golden Bears.
TEAM AWARDS
After the regular season finale, the Bruins got back together Sunday for the team’s banquet. Here’s a list of awards presented at the event:
Nick “Pac” Pasquale Memorial Award (outstanding scout-team players): Quarterback Chase Artopoeus (offense), linebacker Adam Cohen (defense) and defensive back Joshua Swift (special teams).
Jackie R. Robinson Academic Excellence Award (highest GPA): tight end Hudson Habermehl
Iron Bruin Award: Offensive lineman Paul Grattan, Jr.
Jerry Long “Heart” Award: Defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight
Tommy Prothro Award (Special teams most valuable player): Sixth-year senior Ethan Fernea
Kenneth S. Washington Award (Outstanding senior of the year): Running back Brittain Brown
Henry R. “Red” Sanders Award (Most valuable player): Running back Zach Charbonnet
Ed “Coach K” Kezirian Award (Balance of academic and athletics): Defensive back Obi Eboh
Bobby Field UCLA Captains Award: Safety Quentin Lake
