UCLA tight end’s injury leaves DeShaun Foster shaken – Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — When UCLA tight end Hudson Habermehl suffered an apparent injury during an 11-on-11 team drill during the final period of practice Saturday, it affected the entire team .

The training center remained silent as Habermehl held his left leg and screamed – although it was unclear whether this was due to pain or frustration. The players knelt and the spectators and recruits stopped talking and turned their attention to the tight end who had received so many reps in practice this spring.

“Hudson went down today,” head coach DeShaun Foster told reporters after practice. “Obviously a knee injury. We’ll get more information once we run some tests.

Foster appeared emotionally affected upon witnessing Habermehl’s injury. He walked slowly toward the media portion of the field and had to turn around to collect himself before speaking to reporters.

“Injuries bother me,” he said. “Seeing guys fall is unfortunate. I’m just downstairs. I’ve been a gamer, so I really know what it feels like to have worked so hard for something and have the opportunity just taken away from you.

The first-year head coach has worked hard since being hired in February to become one with the UCLA community, whether it’s supporting other sports teams at their games or continually encouraging recruits and fans to come and attend spring training.

Emotional sharing is a unique human trait, but it is not always evident in the sport of football. Foster’s willingness to openly express his empathy Saturday afternoon showed a connection to the team that the players appreciate.

“He wants what’s best for us. He loves us,” tight end Moliki Matavao told reporters. “Since I got here last year, even though he was just the running backs coach, he cared about me even though he wasn’t in my room.

“Now he coaches the whole team and he cares about each of us. And it’s good to see that someone really cares about you.

Define competitive dynamics

Saturday is competition day for UCLA spring practice and on the afternoon of April 13, coaches were fielding punts. Special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach Kodi Whitfield was able to catch two punts and run down the sideline with the entire defense after both catches.

“I just want a competitive atmosphere with the coaches and players,” Foster said. “You’re always about the players, so let’s get the coaches involved as well. This is how you build true camaraderie.

There was also competition between players at the start of practice in the form of a passing drill in which two players competed against each other with offensive and defensive linemen on the field as well.

Players don’t know which of them will compete until the team meeting just before practice. But Foster said the competitive spirit goes deeper than what you see on the field.

Foster said that when he coached running backs, he expected his players to be the first group in the building before practices — a quiet competition he had with other position groups.

“They should compete here. They like it,” Foster said. “But it’s the little things. If you live a competitive life, it’s easy once you get on the field.

Foster said the entire tight ends room, defensive back Joshua Swift, receiver Rico Flores, offensive lineman Josh Carlin and linebackers Oluwafemi Oladejo and Kain Medrano stand out to him as players who live competitively.

Injury update

Linebacker Donavyn Pellot did not participate in practice after suffering an apparent injury Thursday. Pellot wore basketball shorts and his jersey on the sideline Saturday and wore a full sleeve on his right leg.