UCLA Bruins Rebuild with Impact Transfers

The UCLA Bruins are rebuilding their roster with new head coach Bob Chesney, who brought in 45 players from the transfer portal, including RB Wayne Knight from James Madison.

What happened to the Bruins last season?

The Bruins finished with a 3-9 record and 3-6 in conference play, leading to the departure of DeShaun Foster and a miserable season for quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

The team's running game was one of the worst in the Big Ten, with Iamaleava as the leading rusher with 505 yards and four touchdowns.

Who are the key transfers?

RB Wayne Knight is a huge addition, having broken out with 207 carries, 1,373 rushing yards, and nine touchdowns in his redshirt junior season at James Madison.

WR Landon Ellis, also from James Madison, led the Dukes with 624 yards, 36 receptions, and five touchdowns, and can run routes, deep routes, and line up in the slot.

How will the transfers impact the team?

OL Jordan Davis, who can both run and pass block, will protect Iamaleava's blindside and block the edge, having been a key part of South Alabama's top-20 run game in college football.

The Bruins' next game is against the California Golden Bears on 2026-09-06, and with these transfers, they should be a much-improved team.

And with the new head coach and key transfers, the UCLA Bruins are looking to make it back to a bowl game.

But the team's success will depend on how well the transfers integrate into the team and perform on the field.

So the upcoming season will be crucial for the Bruins, and fans will be watching closely to see how the team performs.

The Bruins' running game should improve significantly with Knight on board, and Ellis will provide a new target for Iamaleava.

Davis's ability to block will also give Iamaleava more time to throw, and the team's offense should be more effective.

The transfer portal has been a game-changer for the Bruins, allowing them to rebuild their roster quickly and bring in talented players like Knight, Ellis, and Davis.

The team's new head coach, Bob Chesney, has a lot of experience and knows how to get the most out of his players, having led James Madison to the College Football Playoff.

The Bruins' fans are excited to see how the team will perform in the upcoming season, and with the new transfers and head coach, they have a lot of hope for a successful season.

The team's next game against the California Golden Bears on 2026-09-06 will be a big test, but with the new transfers and head coach, they are ready for the challenge.