LOS ANGELES — UCLA football coach Chip Kelly stated that “about 98 percent” of the roster has been vaccinated.
The University of California system requires all students and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to return to campus for the fall term.
Kelly said some members of the program will apply for a waiver in order to participate in classes and football activities without being vaccinated. He added that some have decided not to get the vaccine for medical or religious beliefs.
🔊: #UCLA football coach Chip Kelly said his roster is “about 98%” vaccinated.
There are some expectations because of medical or religious beliefs. Those players will apply for a waiver to be cleared. pic.twitter.com/EtOSoHcn9F
— James H. Williams (@JHWreporter) July 31, 2021
“If they apply for a waiver and the waiver is passed, then they are OK (to participate),” Kelly said. “If the waiver is denied, then they need to get vaccinated.”
UCLA has been proactive with its players and provided resources, along with having meetings and discussions, about the vaccine.
The Bruins held their first team meeting indoors in 504 days Thursday, according to Kelly, after most meetings were held outside or in smaller groups throughout the past year.
“What they went through last year just to be able to play those seven games was extraordinary,” the coach said. “We have to thank our administration and our doctors for getting us through what we got through.”
Kelly and his staff continue to remind the program to remain cautious despite the high rate of vaccinated players.
“It’s good to get back to some kind of normalcy,” Kelly said. “But we also caution them with this Delta variant and that they still need to be very vigilant about what is going on right now just because you aren’t out of the woods even if you are vaccinated.”
Kelly spoke to local reporters in person for the first time in over a year while player media availability remains virtual.
Kelly, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight also spoke with reporters in person during Pac-12 Media Day on Tuesday. All three had to be vaccinated to participate.
The Bruins showed signs of improvements during the 2020 season and would like to carry that forward this year.
“We just want to build off the modified season,” linebacker Bo Calvert said. “There are going to be things that are way different this year, including fans and being in person for school and having recruits here.
“We got really close during COVID because all we had was the guys around us. We just want to continue to build that foundation.”
The Bruins’ home opener against Hawaii on Aug. 28 is expected to be the first game with fans in attendance for members of the 2020 recruiting class, who played in their first series of home games at the Rose Bowl without fans.
Linebacker Caleb Johnson transferred from Fullerton College for the 2020 season and looks forward to playing in front of familiar faces.
“It will be my first time playing in front of a bunch of fans and my mom at the Rose Bowl,” Johnson said.
STATUS UPDATE
UCLA offensive lineman Paul Grattan remains in “good standing” with the Bruins, despite facing criminal charges filed against him, including misdemeanor assault for an incident that took place in Pennsylvania involving another student at Villanova University.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is preparing for his sixth college football season and second with the Bruins as a grad transfer, after taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to all athletes by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kelly told reporters before Saturday’s practice that Grattan would participate and “anything that we handle with our players is done internally” regarding any possible team discipline.
Running back Keegan Jones did not participate in either of the first two practices this week. Kelly said Jones is “unavailable.”
PLANNING AHEAD
Defensive back Maliki Crawford of Oxnard Pacifica is the first verbal commit for UCLA’s 2023 football recruiting class.
The 6-foot-3, 170-pound athlete is rated as a four-star defensive back by 247sports and is currently the highest-rated recruit at the position during coach Chip Kelly’s tenure.
Defensive back coach Brian Norwood was credited with recruiting Crawford, who also holds offers from USC, Oregon, Miami and Michigan among others.
While the Bruins will field an experienced secondary this season, Norwood has stockpiled talent for the future.
The Bruins brought in a pair of defensive backs, four-star Devin Kirkwood and three-star Josh Moore, as part of the 2021 class.
Inglewood High athlete Clint Stephens is a four-star verbal commitment for the 2022 class and expected to play defensive back.
Stephens was in attendance for Saturday’s practice along with Inglewood running back Tomarion Harden and San Juan Hills receiver Braden Pegan.
