Bryan Addison, a former defensive back for the Oregon Ducks, recently transferred to UCLA, where he had originally committed to play in high school. The decision to transfer back to his home state of California came after a challenging 2023 season with Oregon, during which he recorded 11 tackles and an interception in four games before stepping away from the program for personal reasons.
Addison, who hails from Gardena, just 30 minutes away from UCLA, sees his return to his home state and commitment to UCLA as a full-circle moment. Originally committed to UCLA before switching to Oregon in 2018, Addison expressed his happiness at being back home and fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for UCLA.
In explaining his decision to transfer, Addison cited circumstances that led him to Oregon initially, but ultimately, he and Oregon coach Dan Lanning mutually agreed that Oregon wasn’t the best fit for his future. Now, at UCLA, Addison is playing under coach DeShaun Foster, who offers a unique perspective on coaching and emphasizes a holistic approach to the game.
For Addison, the decision to transfer wasn’t solely about football but also about his academic and professional journey. He acknowledges that football isn’t his only path and values the academic opportunities and life beyond football that UCLA provides.
Meanwhile, Oregon’s defense, despite Addison’s absence last season, performed well, and they’ve added talented defensive backs in the offseason, signaling a promising outlook for the upcoming 2024 season. Addison will have the opportunity to face his former team when Oregon plays at UCLA in September 2024.
