For a brief moment this offseason, UCLA’s special teams room looked like it might be headed for a full-blown reset. But as the dust settles from the first transfer portal window, the Bruins have held onto some key pieces - and added a few intriguing new ones - giving new special teams coordinator Drew Canan something solid to build on heading into spring ball.
Let’s start with the biggest news: kicker Mateen Bhaghani is staying in Westwood.
Bhaghani briefly tested the waters of the transfer portal, even making a visit to Arizona State alongside a few former teammates. But ultimately, he confirmed he’s sticking with the Bruins - and that’s a big win for UCLA.
Last season, Bhaghani was a steady presence, going 16-for-20 on field goals and drilling all 22 of his extra-point attempts. At one point, he was even leading the team in points per game.
Not bad for a guy who transferred in from Cal just a year prior.
Joining Bhaghani in returning is long snapper Salem Abdul-Wahab, who also flirted with the portal before deciding to run it back in blue and gold. With those two veterans back in the fold, UCLA retains a reliable core on special teams - a luxury not every program can claim after a portal-heavy winter.
But not every position is locked in. The punting job is still up for grabs.
Will Karoll, who handled punting duties last season and averaged 43.5 yards per boot, has transferred to Texas Tech. That opens the door for a competition between two transfers: Curtis Gerrand from Sam Houston State and Chase Barry, who’s making a return to UCLA after a year at Oklahoma State.
Gerrand is the latest in a long line of Australian punters to make their way to college football via the ProKick Australia pipeline. He started every game for Sam Houston State last season, averaging 43.05 yards per punt as a freshman. The Aussie has the kind of leg talent and directional control that could make him an immediate asset.
Barry, meanwhile, is a familiar face in Westwood. He was Bhaghani’s holder during the 2022 season and saw action in 13 games during his first stint with the Bruins. After a year in Stillwater where he punted just once in a single game, he’s back for one final go-round, looking to reclaim a bigger role in his final year of eligibility.
Also in the mix is walk-on Lennox Miller, a redshirt freshman from Oaks Christian - and yes, another Aussie. While he’s a bit more of a developmental prospect at this stage, don’t count him out entirely.
At long snapper, UCLA is in good shape. Along with Abdul-Wahab, the Bruins return redshirt freshman Halakilangi Muagututia Jr. and welcome in freshman Giancarlo Cereghino from Campolindo High in Moraga. That trio gives Canan a blend of experience and youth to work with, which is exactly what you want in a position where consistency is everything.
In the return game, wide receiver Mikey Matthews and defensive back Cole Martin are both back. Matthews has shown flashes as a kick returner, while Martin brings solid experience on punts. The Bruins did lose wide receiver Jadyn Marshall to the portal, and his next destination is still to be determined, but the return unit should remain in capable hands.
Here’s a full breakdown of where things stand as spring practices approach:
Kicker
- Returning: Mateen Bhaghani (Sr.), Cash Peterman (R-Sr.)
Punter
- Returning: Lennox Miller (R-Fr., walk-on)
- Arriving: Chase Barry (R-Sr., transfer from Oklahoma State), Curtis Gerrand (Soph., transfer from Sam Houston State)
- Departing: Will Karoll (transfer to Texas Tech)
Long Snapper
- Returning: Salem Abdul-Wahab (R-Sr.), Halakilangi Muagututia Jr.
(R-Fr.)
- Arriving: Giancarlo Cereghino (Fr., Campolindo High)
Kick/Punt Return
- Returning: WR Mikey Matthews (Sr.), DB Cole Martin (R-Jr.)
- Departing: WR Jadyn Marshall (transfer, undecided)
So what’s the outlook?
With Bhaghani and Abdul-Wahab back, UCLA enters spring with a veteran kicking operation intact. The punting battle will be one to watch, especially with two seasoned transfers vying for the job. And while the return game loses a piece in Marshall, Matthews and Martin bring enough experience to keep that unit competitive.
Drew Canan may be new to the role, but he’s stepping into a situation that’s far from a rebuild. With a little clarity at punter and continued development from the younger specialists, UCLA’s special teams could quietly become one of the more stable and reliable phases of the game for the Bruins in 2026.