The wide receiver room at UCLA is undergoing a serious facelift heading into the 2026 season - and it’s not just change for the sake of change. This is a calculated overhaul, one that brings in a wave of proven playmakers and high-upside talent to surround quarterback Nico Iamaleava with a deeper, more dynamic group of targets.
Let’s start with the exits: Rico Flores Jr., Kwazi Gilmer, Ezavier Staples, Jadyn Marshall, and Carter Shaw are all moving on. That’s a lot of names, but the real production loss centers around Gilmer and Flores Jr.
Gilmer was the Bruins’ leading receiver last season, and his departure leaves a noticeable void. A former four-star recruit, Gilmer chose UCLA over blue-blood programs like Oklahoma and Washington, and over two seasons in Westwood, he racked up 81 catches for 880 yards and six touchdowns.
He was a crisp route-runner with legit speed - a reliable go-to guy in key moments.
Flores Jr., meanwhile, never quite found his rhythm after transferring from Notre Dame in 2024. He finished his UCLA stint with 38 catches, 461 yards, and just one touchdown across two seasons. The talent was there, but the fit never fully clicked.
The rest of the departures - Staples, Marshall, and Shaw - didn’t make much of an impact on the field. Which brings us to the more exciting part of this story: who’s coming in.
The Bruins didn’t just reload - they upgraded. Big time.
Leland Smith (San Jose State), Landon Ellis (James Madison), Semaj Morgan (Michigan), Aidan Mizell (Florida), Marcus Harris, and Brian Rowe Jr. are all new faces in the room, and each brings something unique to the table. This is a group with real experience, real production, and real upside.
Let’s talk about size and versatility. Smith stands at 6’4”, and Ellis is 6’1” - two big-bodied targets who can win contested catches and give Iamaleava the kind of vertical threats that can stretch defenses and open up the field.
Smith was a key piece at San Jose State, and Ellis was a go-to guy at JMU. Both know what it means to be "the guy" in an offense.
Then there’s Mizell, a transfer from Florida, who’s expected to get a much bigger opportunity in Westwood. He brings SEC speed to the Pac-12, and with more snaps, he could be a breakout candidate.
Morgan, meanwhile, comes in from Michigan with a championship pedigree. He made a pivotal play during Michigan’s title run a few years ago - the kind of moment that speaks to his ability to rise when the lights are brightest.
On the inside, you’ve got Mikey Matthews - one of the few holdovers from last season and someone who already has chemistry with Iamaleava. Add Morgan and Harris to the slot rotation, and suddenly UCLA has a versatile trio that can create mismatches all over the field.
What makes this group particularly intriguing is the balance. You’ve got size on the outside with Smith and Ellis.
You’ve got speed and shiftiness in the slot. You’ve got experience at the Power Five level and production at the Group of Five level.
And most importantly, you’ve got options - something UCLA’s offense hasn’t always had in recent years.
For Iamaleava, this is a dream scenario. The former five-star quarterback now has a deep, diverse receiving corps that can help him unlock the full potential of this offense. Whether it’s throwing up a jump ball to Smith, hitting Morgan on a quick slant, or finding Matthews on a crossing route, the Bruins now have the personnel to stress defenses in multiple ways.
And don’t forget about Dean Kennedy - the offensive coordinator is reportedly fired up about what this group can do. With this much talent and flexibility, expect UCLA to get creative in how they deploy these receivers. Motion, bunch sets, vertical concepts - it’s all on the table.
Bottom line: this isn’t just a new-look receiver room. It’s a better one. And if everything clicks, it could be the group that helps elevate UCLA’s offense to a whole new level in 2026.