UCLA's Kicking Situation Is Looking Up for Next Year

A whole lot of things have to go right for the Bruins to properly be in the hunt for postseason success, whether that would come in the form of a bowl game or the College Football Playoff, and they need one or the other to improve from last year's disaster.

Some things have been flying under the radar, such as the impact that the receiving room will have on the Bruins this year compared to last, and what players may do for the team once they graduate.

• While a lot of positions have changed for the Bruins over the course of a dozen measly months, one thing is poised to remain the same in their place kicker, as Mateen Bhaghani is coming back for another run with UCLA.

• Last season, he played pretty well with a much larger kicking load than one might have anticipated given the stagnant offense he had to play in, and the attempts, with their accompanying pressure, are likely to dip a bit this year.

• It is rare for kickers to get injured and miss multiple weeks, and it is unlikely that UCLA will have to bench Bhaghani. If he cannot play, his likely replacement would be Mateo Orosco.

• Orosco is a freshman with a lot to prove, and a chance at the spotlight would be enough to push him to amazing play. If he is built to handle the pressure, then UCLA will be set, even if Bhaghani is unavailable.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/ucla as UCLA's Kicking Situation Is Looking Up for Next Year.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM.