LOS ANGELES — UCLA’s tight ends have proven to be one of the program’s most productive units in recent years and despite a head coaching change during the offseason, there’s still a chance for that trend to continue.
Tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel has a lot of confidence in the ability of the group and what that position will be able to produce in offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s West Coast offense.
Neuheisel had previously spent the past three seasons as wide receivers coach but took on the new role with DeShaun Foster taking over the program as head coach.
“I’m just happy to be a part of the team,” Neuheisel said. “I don’t know what went into all the decisions but I do know that I love being with the tight ends and having more of an impact on the running game.”
Senior tight end Moliki Matavao appears poised to enter the season as the clear starter for UCLA when the team travels to play Hawai’i in the season opener on Aug. 31.
Moliki Matavao is coming off his first season with the Bruins after transferring in from Oregon. He started six of 13 games last season for UCLA and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. He had 14 receptions for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Matavao was named to the John Mackey Award list this month. The award is presented to the best tight end at the end of the season.
Matavao was initially expected to share starting reps with redshirt senior Hudson Habermehl, who suffered an ACL injury during spring practice and will likely miss the season.
Habermehl has since had successful surgery and has been one of several players spotted in the weight room during team practices.
“I feel like we got to do more and that’s everything,” Matavao said. “I think that’s someone all four of us in the tight room right now that are healthy can do.”
Arizona State transfer and Rancho Cucamonga alumnus Bryce Pierre was brought in after spring camp to add depth to the position.
The redshirt senior had 17 catches for 139 yards in 12 games (four starts) for the Sun Devils last season.
“They’re playing really high-IQ football,” Neuheisel said. “They know where to be, how to be, they know how to get open. They are playing as well as I could ever ask for. … All four of those guys can get into a game and help us win and I think that’s all we can ask for.”
Redshirt senior Michael Churich and redshirt sophomore Jack Pedersen are the other two healthy tight ends on the roster.
Churich has had limited productivity since arriving as a walk-on in 2019 but saw an increase in playing time last season by appearing in four games.
“Churich is a grinder and considered one of the most beloved players, not only in the tight end room but the entire locker room. … He came in as a walk-on and grind on the scout team and now all of a sudden he gets an opportunity and he’s making the most of it.”
Neuheisel has also been happy with the progress he’s seen from Pedersen, who was initially recruited as a highly-touted tight end coming out of Vista Murrieta High but spent the first two years as a Bruin switching between a role as a running back and tight end.
“A ton of improvement from last year,” Neuheisel said. “In terms of a route runner and in terms of understanding his routes, I think he’s grown leaps and bounds from where he was and with that, he’s playing faster.”
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UCLA could see another tight end return to the room once redshirt junior Sam Summa is cleared.
Summa has been working his way back onto the field after undergoing foot surgery. It has not been disclosed when he suffered the injury. Neuheisel thinks he could be back within the first week or two of the season.
Foster has taken extra precautions with his roster in an attempt to limit the chance of injuries after watching a pair of players go down with injuries during spring.
Habermehl was one of three ACL injuries suffered during spring, along with reverse running back Troy Leigber and linebacker Donavyn Pellot.
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