What UCLA Is Getting in Brayden Loftin: A Battle-Tested Tight End Ready to Compete
UCLA’s tight end room just got a little more crowded - and a lot more experienced. Brayden Loftin, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound grad transfer from Kansas State, is headed to Westwood for the 2026 season. And while he may not arrive with eye-popping stats, he brings something just as valuable: Power Four experience, positional versatility, and the kind of toughness that plays on Saturdays.
Let’s break down what Loftin brings to the table and how he might fit into UCLA’s evolving offense under its new leadership.
A Veteran Presence with Power Four Pedigree
Loftin played three seasons at Kansas State, appearing in 31 games and carving out a role as a rotational tight end. His production - 17 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns - won’t turn heads, but the context matters.
He was part of a system that used tight ends in multiple ways, lining up as an in-line blocker, H-back, and occasionally split out. He wasn’t a featured weapon, but he was trusted to do the dirty work, and he did it with consistency.
His most productive stretch came in 2024, when he posted 11 receptions for 125 yards despite missing three games due to injury. In 2025, his usage dipped, with just six catches for 55 yards, but he still logged meaningful snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, Loftin earned a 64.9 run-blocking grade on 87 snaps last season - not elite, but serviceable, and it reflects his willingness to engage physically in the trenches.
The Recruitment Trail: Familiar Faces and a West Coast Pivot
Loftin hit the transfer portal in early December as a graduate transfer, giving him a head start on exploring his options. He initially lined up visits to Florida State and UCLA, and with his younger brother Chase playing tight end for the Seminoles in 2025, there was a natural family connection to Tallahassee.
But things shifted quickly when Darrick Yray, Florida State’s general manager at the time, took the same role at UCLA in late December. Yray was already familiar with Loftin, and when the portal window officially opened, Loftin prioritized his UCLA visit over Florida State’s. He canceled his FSU trip, visited UCLA on January 8th, and committed two days later.
The Fit: A Crowded Room, but a Real Opportunity
Here’s the reality: UCLA is bringing in four transfer tight ends and one high school signee for the 2026 season. That’s on top of the returning players already in the fold.
If no one changes positions - and that’s a big “if” - the Bruins will have nine tight ends on the roster heading into spring ball. That’s a logjam.
So where does Loftin fit?
Right in the thick of the rotation battle. With his size, maturity, and Power Four experience, Loftin is a strong candidate to make the four-man rotation - the realistic cap on how many tight ends UCLA will use in any meaningful way this season. James Madison transfer Josh Phifer is expected to reprise his role as the primary blocking tight end, leaving Loftin to compete for pass-catching snaps alongside Wake Forest transfer Harry Lodge and returning sophomore Noah Fox-Flores.
None of those three are proven stars, but each brings something different. Fox-Flores may have the highest ceiling, but Loftin’s versatility and physicality could earn him a steady role, especially if UCLA leans into a committee approach at the position.
What to Expect from the Tight End Group
UCLA’s tight end usage in 2026 probably won’t mirror the 2024 season, when Moliki Matavao caught 41 passes and was a true focal point of the offense. This year’s group doesn’t feature that kind of elite pass-catching talent - at least not yet.
Instead, expect a more balanced, by-committee approach. Last season, JMU’s offense (now the blueprint for UCLA’s system) had two tight ends combine for 37 receptions, while UCLA’s own tight ends caught 33 passes. If the Bruins can get 40 receptions out of the position this year, that would be considered a win given the current roster makeup.
Loftin’s role in that equation? He may not lead the group in catches, but he could be the guy who keeps the offense on schedule - blocking on early downs, chipping in with timely receptions, and giving the coaching staff a reliable veteran to lean on.
The Bigger Picture: Depth, Competition, and a Second Chance
After missing out on New Mexico transfer Dorian Thomas - who flipped to Cal late in the process - UCLA had to pivot quickly. The staff took the quantity approach, bringing in multiple transfers to spark competition. Loftin is one of those pieces, and he’s the kind of player who could quietly become a valuable contributor if he finds the right role.
He’s not a flashy addition, but he’s a smart one. He’s played real snaps in a Power Four conference, he understands the physical demands of the position, and he’s shown he can be a multi-tool tight end when called upon.
Now, at UCLA, he gets a fresh start - and a real shot to carve out a bigger role in an offense looking for answers at tight end.