Jalen Berger’s 2025 season at UCLA didn’t start with fireworks-but when it finally clicked, it was impossible to ignore. The veteran running back, who’s had one of the more winding college football journeys in recent memory, delivered his breakout performance in dramatic fashion: against his former team, Michigan State. And he didn’t just show up-he took over.
Berger racked up 113 total yards and three touchdowns in that game, putting together the kind of performance that makes you sit up and say, “Where has this been all season?” He looked explosive, elusive, and confident-making defenders miss in space, cutting with purpose, and finishing runs with power. Simply put, he was the best player on the field that day.
What makes it even more compelling is that Berger had been relatively quiet through the first five weeks of the season. But against the Spartans, he reminded everyone of the talent that once made him a high-profile recruit.
And doing it against a former team? That’s poetic football justice.
He followed that up with a solid showing against Maryland-19 carries for 65 yards-but even that stat line doesn’t tell the whole story. Berger had a long run wiped out by one of the more baffling penalties of the season: a block-in-the-back call on teammate Kwazi Gilmer that, upon replay, showed Gilmer never actually touched the defender.
It was the kind of call that makes you question what game the officials were watching. Without it, Berger likely clears 100 yards for the second straight week.
Berger’s path through college football has been anything but linear. He started at Wisconsin, transferred to Michigan State for two seasons, and eventually landed at UCLA, where he spent two more years. That’s three programs in six years-a journey that reflects both the volatility of modern college football and the resilience of a player who kept grinding.
His performance against Michigan State wasn’t just a personal highlight-it was historic. He became the first UCLA running back to catch multiple touchdowns in a game since 2020, and the first non-quarterback to score three total touchdowns in a game since 2023. That’s rare air, especially for a player who had to fight for touches in a crowded backfield.
But the Bruins’ offense, while capable of explosive moments, struggled with consistency throughout the season. Early on, the line did a good job creating space, particularly in games against Michigan State and Penn State.
But as the season wore on, opposing defenses started to figure out Jerry Neuheisel’s schemes. They loaded the box, dared UCLA to throw, and the offensive line couldn’t hold up.
That’s a tough environment for any running back to thrive in-especially one who relies on vision and timing like Berger.
When the pocket collapses quickly and the passing game isn’t respected, running lanes disappear. And that’s what happened to Berger and the rest of the Bruins’ backfield down the stretch.
It’s hard to truly evaluate what this offense could’ve been with a more stable line and consistent playcalling. Unfortunately, we won’t get to see that version, as most of the offensive core will either graduate or move on with the coaching change under Bob Chesney.
By season’s end, Berger finished with 81 carries for 364 rushing yards, 10 catches for 70 yards, and four total touchdowns. On paper, those numbers might not jump off the page.
But anyone who watched the games knows he brought more to the table than the box score suggests. He showed above-average vision, wasn’t afraid to run between the tackles, and proved to be a reliable pass-catching option out of the backfield.
In a season full of transition and turbulence, Berger was a steadying presence when given the opportunity. His numbers may not tell the full story, but his tape does. And for one unforgettable afternoon against Michigan State, he reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when everything clicks.