LOS ANGELES -- UCLA freshman offensive lineman Garrison Blank is moving on from Westwood after just one season, as the former three-star recruit has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
NEW: UCLA OL Garrison Blank has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 15, 2026
He will have 4 years of eligibility remaining. https://t.co/nZSYmvGhIy pic.twitter.com/wi2VSR0RyN
Blank did not appear in any games during his true freshman campaign and will have four years of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
Listed at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds, Blank arrived at UCLA with the physical traits teams covet along the offensive front. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star prospect and ranked among the top offensive tackle recruits nationally, checking in as the No. 53 player at his position. While his long-term potential remained intriguing, his path to playing time with the Bruins became increasingly crowded over the course of the offseason.
Blank’s decision to enter the portal comes relatively late in the current transfer window, but the timing aligns with UCLA’s aggressive approach to rebuilding its offensive line. Since the portal opened, the Bruins have added six transfer linemen, significantly reshaping the depth chart. Those additions, combined with the arrival of three incoming true freshmen, made competition for snaps particularly steep heading into the 2026 season.
Even before the influx of transfers, Blank was viewed as a developmental piece rather than an immediate contributor. With veteran transfers now expected to compete for starting roles and younger players pushing for backup spots, opportunities became limited for players further down the depth chart.
For Blank, entering the portal offers a chance to find a program where he may have a clearer route to playing time and long-term development.
Roster management also continues to play a role in personnel decisions across college football. With the NCAA now enforcing a 105-man roster limit, down from the previous 120, programs are facing tougher choices when it comes to balancing scholarships and depth. UCLA, like many teams around the country, could see additional portal entries or roster attrition as the window closes and the season approaches.
For the Bruins, Blank’s departure represents another step in an offseason defined by change along the offensive line. For Blank, it marks a fresh start and an opportunity to reset his college career after a quiet first year.