Jay Toia
| UCLA Bruins – No. 93 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive tackle |
| Class | Senior |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 325 lb (147 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | |
| High school | Grace Brethren High School |
Jay Toia is an American football defensive tackle for the UCLA Bruins. He previously played for the USC Trojans.
Early life and high school
[edit]Toia attended Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley, California. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the USC Trojans.[1][2]
College career
[edit]USC
[edit]Toia spent spring practices with the Trojans as an early enrolled player in 2021.[3] After spending just a few months with the Trojans, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[4]
UCLA
[edit]Toia joined the UCLA Bruins before the start of the 2021 season, after spending the summer as a Trojan.[5] In the 2022 Sun Bowl, he notched a career-high ten tackles with two being for a loss against Pittsburgh.[6] In his first two collegiate seasons in 2021 and 2022, Toia notched 38 tackle with three being for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.[7] In 2023, he appeared in all 13 games for the Bruins while making 12 starts, where he notched 28 tackles with four being for a loss, and a sack.[8] After the season, Toia entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[9] However, shortly after, he decided to return to play for the Bruins.[10] In 2024, Toia totaled 25 tackles with two being for a loss, and a sack. After the season, Toia accepted an invite to play in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Williams, James. "DL Jay Toia commits to UCLA after spending spring with USC". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Arledge, Chris. "Musings from Arledge: The Heart-Wrenching Story of Very Young Jay Toia". On3.com. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Rudolph, Justin. "UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Morales, Antonio. "USC freshman Jay Toia's surprise trip to the transfer portal and a defensive line picture only getting cloudier". The Athletic. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Rittenberg, Adam. "Defensive lineman Jay Toia opts to remain at UCLA". ESPN. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Bolch, Ben. "'I didn't want to be bought': Why Jay Toia returned to lead UCLA's scrappy defense". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Rudolph, Justin. "UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia intends to withdraw from NCAA Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Williams, James. "DL Jay Toia returns to UCLA football". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Bolch, Ben. "UCLA's defense suffers huge blow with star lineman Jay Toia entering transfer portal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Bolch, Ben. "Jay Toia's dalliance with transfer portal ends in a triumphant return to UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Cavanaugh, Tom. "Three Bruin Seniors Accept Invites To East-West Shrine Bowl". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 15, 2024.