Mikey Matthews’ Journey to UCLA: A Versatile Weapon Still Finding His Fit
When Deshaun Foster took over the reins at UCLA, the transfer portal became a key tool in reshaping the Bruins’ roster-and one of the most intriguing additions was wide receiver Mikey Matthews. Coming over from Cal, Matthews brought more than just experience.
He brought versatility, playmaking ability, and a track record of competing against top-tier defenses. And with quarterback Nico Iamaleava also transferring in, the Bruins’ offense suddenly had the makings of a unit with real potential.
Matthews’ path to Westwood has been anything but linear. The 2025 season marked his third stop in three years-starting at Utah in 2023, then a year with the Golden Bears, before making the move to UCLA.
That kind of journey can be a challenge, but it also speaks to the adaptability and resilience Matthews brings to the table. He’s not just a slot receiver-he’s a return specialist, a utility weapon who can line up across the formation and make plays in space.
That kind of flexibility is gold in today’s college football landscape.
Before his college days, Matthews was a standout at Mission Viejo High School, where he racked up over 3,000 all-purpose yards and earned a four-star rating as a recruit. That production and pedigree haven’t gone unnoticed, even if his college numbers haven’t fully exploded yet.
This season, UCLA’s offense never quite found its rhythm. Part of that came down to instability in play-calling and a conservative approach designed to offset issues along the offensive line.
That inconsistency impacted everyone-including Matthews. His final stat line for the year: 33 catches, 348 yards, and two touchdowns.
Not eye-popping on the surface, but the numbers don’t tell the full story.
What Matthews showed in flashes-his ability to get open, his burst after the catch, his value on special teams-suggests there’s still untapped potential here. In the right system, with a more stable offensive setup, he’s the kind of player who can thrive. New head coach Bob Chesney will have decisions to make as he evaluates the roster, and Matthews presents an intriguing case: a proven contributor with the kind of skill set that can be deployed creatively.
So far, Matthews hasn’t made any public moves regarding his future. He’s not in the transfer portal, and for now, he remains a Bruin.
That could change-or it might not. One factor that played into his decision to come to UCLA in the first place was proximity to home.
He also followed wide receivers coach Burl Toler III from Cal, a sign that relationships and fit matter to him.
Matthews wasn’t the only Cal transfer to land in Westwood-running back Jaivian Thomas made the jump too. Both players showed flashes this season, and both could become key pieces if they decide to stick around and ride out the coaching transition. With the Bruins entering a new era under Chesney, continuity could be valuable-and Matthews is the kind of player who could benefit from a fresh start within the same program.
As we wait for more clarity-likely after James Madison’s season wraps and Chesney fully settles in-Matthews remains one of the more intriguing names to watch on this UCLA roster. He’s already shown what he can do in spurts. Now it’s about whether the Bruins can unlock that next level.