University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
22 Bruins Named to Active Rosters as NFL Season Kicks Off
September 07, 2023 | Football
The UCLA football team had 22 former standouts named to active rosters ahead of the 2023 NFL regular season, which is slated to kick off Thursday in Kansas City.
Among the Bruins in the professional ranks are are 18th-year tight end Marcedes Lewis of the Chicago Bears and wide receiver Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots, who is set to begin his 16th NFL campaign. The new season will serve as a homecoming for linebacker Eric Kendricks, as he signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Chargers after a standout eight-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings.
Sunday's contest between Las Vegas and Denver will feature five Bruin alums – the most of any week 1 game – with running back Brittain Brown, center Andre James, and tackle Kolton Miller suiting up for the Raiders and tight end Greg Dulcich and defensive back Fabian Moreau set to see action for the host Broncos.
Seven members of UCLA's 2022 squad are set to begin their first NFL campaigns this week, including quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson of the Cleveland Browns, offensive lineman Atonio Mafi of the New England Patriots, wide receiver Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks, running back Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks, offensive lineman Jon Gaines II of the Arizona Cardinals (injured), wide receiver Kazmeir Allen of the Washington Commanders (practice squad), and tackle Raiqwon O'Neal of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (practice squad).
In total, 33 Bruins are affiliated with 21 NFL teams, with others occupying spots on practice squads and reserve lists.
The season begins Thursday at 5:20 p.m. PT, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions.
| Name | Pos. | Years Lettered | Team | Status | Exp. |
| Kazmeir Allen | WR | 2018-22 | Washington Commanders | Practice Squad | R |
| Alec Anderson | T | 2018-2021 | Buffalo Bills | Active | 1 |
| Eli Ankou | DT | 2012-16 | Buffalo Bills | Practice Squad | 6 |
| Krys Barnes | LB | 2016-19 | Arizona Cardinals | Active | 4 |
| Jake Bobo | WR | 2022 | Seattle Seahawks | Active | R |
| Jake Brendel | OL | 2011-15 | San Francisco 49ers | Active | 7 |
| Brittain Brown | RB | 2020, 2021 | Las Vegas Raiders | Injured | 1 |
| Zach Charbonnet | RB | 2021-22 | Seattle Seahawks | Active | R |
| Kenny Clark | DL | 2013-15 | Green Bay Packers | Active | 8 |
| Matt Dickerson | DE | 2014-17 | Kansas City Chiefs | Active | 5 |
| Greg Dulcich | TE | 2018-2021 | Denver Broncos | Active | 1 |
| Ka'imi Fairbairn | K | 2012-15 | Houston Texans | Active | 8 |
| Demetric Felton Jr. | RB | 2016-2020 | Cincinnati Bengals | Practice Squad | 3 |
| Jon Gaines II | OL | 2018-22 | Arizona Cardinals | Injured | R |
| Darnay Holmes | CB | 2017-19 | New York Giants | Active | 4 |
| Andre James | C | 2015-18 | Las Vegas Raiders | Active | 5 |
| Joshua Kelley | RB | 2017-19 | Los Angeles Chargers | Active | 4 |
| Eric Kendricks | LB | 2010-14 | Los Angeles Chargers | Active | 9 |
| Qwuantrezz Knight | CB | 2020, 2021 | San Francisco 49ers | Practice Squad | 1 |
| Quentin Lake | S | 2017-2021 | Los Angeles Rams | Active | 1 |
| Marcedes Lewis | TE | 2002-05 | Chicago Bears | Active | 18 |
| Atonio Mafi | OL | 2018-22 | New England Patriots | Active | R |
| Conor McDermott | OL | 2012-16 | New England Patriots | Injured | 7 |
| Kolton Miller | T | 2014-17 | Las Vegas Raiders | Active | 6 |
| Fabian Moreau | DB | 2012-16 | Denver Broncos | Active | 7 |
| Osa Odighizuwa | DT | 2016-2020 | Dallas Cowboys | Active | 3 |
| Otito Ogbonnia | DL | 2018-2021 | Los Angeles Chargers | PUP | 1 |
| Raiqwon O'Neal | T | 2022 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Practice Squad | R |
| Kyle Philips | WR | 2018-2021 | Tennessee Titans | Injured | 1 |
| Scott Quessenberry | OL | 2013-17 | Houston Texans | Injured | 6 |
| Sean Rhyan | T/G | 2019-2021 | Green Bay Packers | Active | 1 |
| Matthew Slater | WR | 2003-07 | New England Patriots | Active | 16 |
| Dorian Thompson-Robinson | QB | 2018-22 | Cleveland Browns | Active | R |
