The UCLA Bruins didn’t just dip into the transfer portal this offseason - they dove in headfirst and came up with some serious reinforcements. After a rocky 2025 campaign that saw early losses, a coaching shakeup, and an offense that never quite found its rhythm, UCLA has made it clear: this is a reset, not a rebuild.
The first big domino to fall was the return of quarterback Nico Iamaleava. That move alone gave head coach Bob Chesney and his new staff a cornerstone to build around.
And they didn’t waste time. The Bruins went to work retooling the offense, starting up front with a revamped offensive line designed to give Iamaleava the kind of protection he was sorely missing last year.
Then came the weapons - receivers who can stretch the field, a slot threat with serious quicks, and a dynamic, do-it-all back in Wayne Knight.
Knight, a transfer with burst and versatility, brings another layer to this offense. He’s the kind of player who can turn a routine handoff into a highlight reel - just ask anyone who watched him take it up the gut and leave defenders in the dust last season. He’s not just a safety valve for Iamaleava; he’s a playmaker who can keep defenses honest and open up the field for everyone else.
Let’s rewind to last season for a moment. The hype around Iamaleava heading into 2025 was real.
A high-profile portal addition, he was expected to elevate the Bruins' offense and lead a turnaround. But an 0-4 start - paired with a midseason coaching change and a first-time play caller in Jerry Neuheisel - derailed that momentum fast.
The offensive line couldn’t hold up, and Iamaleava was forced to play survival ball more often than not, scrambling out of collapsing pockets and trying to make something out of nothing.
Still, there were flashes. In games against Penn State and Michigan State, we saw the version of Iamaleava that had scouts excited - a quarterback who could stand tall, work through his progressions, and deliver with confidence.
But as the season wore on, defenses began to key in on Neuheisel’s schemes, and the Bruins’ offense stalled. UCLA dropped its final five games, finishing 3-9.
And yet, through it all, Iamaleava never bailed. Even banged up, he kept suiting up, kept competing.
That kind of grit doesn’t go unnoticed in a locker room.
Now, with Chesney at the helm and a new-look offense around him, Iamaleava finally has the support he needs. On the outside, Leland Smith and Landon Ellis bring size and athleticism - two receivers who can win one-on-one battles and high-point the football.
Inside, Semaj Morgan adds a different flavor: a shifty slot presence who can create separation and turn short catches into chunk plays. It’s a balanced group that gives Iamaleava options at every level of the field.
And perhaps most importantly, the offensive line looks capable of giving him time to operate. That’s been the missing piece.
With a clean pocket, Iamaleava has the tools - arm strength, mobility, vision - to pick apart defenses. And when things break down?
He’s got Knight, one of the most explosive backs in the country, ready for a check-down or a designed screen.
There’s a quiet confidence brewing in Westwood. After a season that tested this program’s resolve, UCLA appears to have turned the page.
The pieces are in place. The quarterback is back.
And if the Bruins can stay healthy and keep building chemistry, this offense might just be ready to make some noise in 2026.