Safety Quentin Lake will return to the Rose Bowl for one final game in a UCLA football helmet.
The Mater Dei product has spent the last five years as a Bruin and was eligible to return for another year but it would appear unlikely after accepting an invitation to compete in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
The game gives select draft-eligible players an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of NFL coaches and scouts and would indicate that he’s declaring for the upcoming draft.
The deadline to officially declare for the draft is Jan. 17. The NFLPA Bowl will be played Jan. 29 in Pasadena.
Lake has been on the radar of NFL scouts this season and was named the Reese’s Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against USC. He had seven tackles, including two for a loss, a pass breakup and an interception against the Trojans.
Jim Nagy, an NFL draft analyst and the Senior Bowl’s executive director, mentioned that film of Lake’s performance, such as the interception, has “gotten the NFL’s attention.”
The fifth-year defensive back intercepted USC quarterback Jaxson Dart’s pass, intended for receiver Gary Bryant Jr., in the first quarter. Lake had a 15-yard return before running out of bounds. He also earned Lott Trophy Player of the Week honors and was a Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week nominee following the rivalry game.
For the season, Lake had 54 total tackles, three interceptions and six pass breakups.
Lake is following in the footsteps of his father, Carnell, who was an All-American linebacker for the Bruins in 1988 and a five-time Pro Bowler during his NFL career.
UCLA redshirt junior offensive tackle Alec Anderson had also decided to forgo his remaining eligibility to declare for the draft early.
The Etiwanda High product started 10 of 12 games this season and helped the offense average over 200 rushing yards per game for a second consecutive season.
“I look forward to representing the Bruin nation in this, and all my future endeavors,” said Anderson in a statement on Instagram.
Anderson will graduate this winter after four years at the university.
Linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath, defensive back Obi Eboh, offensive lineman Paul Grattan are among the super seniors to join Knight in declaring for the draft after having exhausted all of their college eligibility.
Running back Brittain Brown hasn’t publicly declared, but has stated that he’s ready to pursue a professional career.
NEW COMMITS
Linebackers Darius Muasau and Laiatu Latu committed to Coach Chip Kelly and UCLA this week.
Muasau led Hawai’i with 109 total tackles, including 14 for a loss, as a junior this season. He was a proven playmaker for the Rainbow Warriors, finishing with seven sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles (tied for fifth most in the nation) and a fumble recovery.
Kelly saw Muasau in action during the Bruins’ season opener against Hawai’i at the Rose Bowl. He had 11 total tackles and a pass breakup against UCLA.
Muasau and quarterback Dillon Gabriel were teammates at Mililani High in 2018. In December, Gabriel committed to the Bruins, after three seasons at Central Florida.
Latu played 12 of 13 games for Washington as a true freshman in 2019 but did not play during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He announced in April 2021 that he would medically retire from football due to a lingering neck injury.
The former four-star prospect reunites with UCLA defensive assistant coach Ikaika Malloe, who was hired in December after six seasons with Washington. Malloe was the defensive coordinator and outside linebacker coach for the Huskies this past season.
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