DeShaun Foster and his staff were locked in this offseason — UCLA added over 30 athletes to its roster for a 23rd-best transfer class in college football.
The Bruins’ most notable addition was indisputably quarterback Nico Iamaleava, whose transfer from Tennessee was one of the summer’s most drama-filled moves. The 6-foot-6 quarterback was the best at his position to enter the portal and the top transfer athlete available, per 247Sports.
UCLA’s fall camp is well underway in Costa Mesa, but Foster is still fortifying his roster.
Offensive lineman Tautai Lio “Tai” Marks committed to UCLA Wednesday after three seasons at Tulsa and two at Colorado State. Marks announced his decision to enter the portal on Twitter in February.
The 6-foot-1 California native is the fifth O-line transfer and third lineman to join the Bruins.
Eugene Brooks, a true sophomore from Oklahoma, and Florida State redshirt sophomore Julian Armella committed to the Bruins’ offensive line mid-December. Offensive tackles graduate transfer Courtland Ford (USC, Kentucky) and junior K.D. Arnold (Jacksonville State) will join Marks, Brooks and Armella on an O-line with a big job to do this season: protecting Iamaleava.
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Marks opted to redshirt his freshman season at Colorado State and has one year of eligibility remaining. He appeared in 10 games for the Rams before transferring to Tulsa in 2022. The O-lineman started 26 of 27 games played in three seasons with the Golden Hurricane.
The lineman’s commitment to UCLA comes 10 days into fall camp, meaning Marks will have less time to gel with his new teammates compared to his fellow transfers.
Foster’s Bruins open their season hosting Utah Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET.