COSTA MESA, Calif. — Jalen Woods is part of an intriguing position battle for UCLA this month. The redshirt junior linebacker played in all 12 games last season and made one start. This year, there is an opportunity to carve out a bigger role.

Woods has been with the Bruins for his entire career and has seen the team go through different phases. Head coach DeShaun Foster has been working to build a close connection for his team throughout training camp.

The redshirt junior linebacker has seen the benefits of the efforts from the staff to bring the team together.

“I feel like for me, it’s just trying to get to know everybody,” Woods said Saturday. “Because I feel like it’s important knowing everybody on the team. You never know what they may be going through or what their situation is.

“So, I just feel like it’s great in the meal rooms to just talk to people. Don’t be on your phone and stuff like that. Having a conversation to know who is really on your team, and who you can count on.”

Foster has made it a point to room offensive and defensive players together during the stay away from campus. Woods is rooming with freshman running back Karson Cox, and he’s learned about the newcomer.

On the field, Woods continues to battle for a spot in the linebacker rotation. He likes the group that has been brought together this offseason for the Bruins.

“I feel as a linebacker group, we want everybody to play as much as we can,” he said. “We want linebackers on the field all the time. Four, five. So, just being able to know what we’re doing, so we can have opportunities like that. Where more of us can get on the field.”

Video recorded by BruinBlitz staff writer Tracy McDannald.