Defensive lineman Brandon Tuliaupupu to transfer out

After sitting out this season with a torn ACL, redshirt sophomore Brandon Tuliaupupu will transfer out of UCLA. The defensive lineman has already been removed from the team’s official roster. According to the Los Angeles Times, his likely destinations are Cal Poly, UC Davis or Sacramento State.

During spring practices, Tuliaupupu had split first-team reps at nose tackle with senior Seali’i Epenesa before injuring his knee. Once the season progressed, however, even Epenesa lost reps to true freshman Kenny Clark — who ended the season with two official starts, but was playing a de facto first-string role by the end of the season.

Redshirt freshman Eli Ankou is the only other nose tackle listed on the depth chart, though sophomore Ellis McCarthy can also play there. UCLA has a verbal commitment from 2014 tackle Ainuu Taua, rated the ninth-best prospect in California by Rivals.com.