Wayne Knight is headed to Westwood, and UCLA just got a whole lot more dynamic on offense.
The former James Madison star running back brings more than just impressive numbers-he brings versatility, explosiveness, and a game-changing skill set that the Bruins sorely missed in 2025. Whether he's taking handoffs between the tackles or slipping out of the backfield to make plays as a receiver, Knight is built to be an all-purpose threat in a retooled Bruins offense that’s looking to find its identity under new leadership.
Knight followed head coach Bob Chesney and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy from JMU to UCLA, and that continuity could pay immediate dividends. It’s not often a player transfers with a full grasp of the system already in place, but Knight arrives with that advantage-and with 1,770 total yards and 10 touchdowns under his belt from last season, he’s not just familiar with the playbook, he knows how to thrive in it.
At 5-foot-10 and a sturdy 215 pounds, Knight has drawn early comparisons to a former UCLA fan favorite: Maurice Jones-Drew. That’s lofty company, no doubt, but the resemblance is there in how Knight combines power, balance, and burst into one compact package. He’s not just a back who can grind out tough yards-he’s a home-run hitter, the kind of player who can flip the field in a heartbeat.
UCLA’s offense needed this. The Bruins struggled to establish a consistent ground game in 2025, and the lack of a dynamic presence in the backfield made life tougher for their quarterbacks.
Knight changes that equation. He gives them a legitimate every-down back who can keep defenses honest and open things up for the rest of the offense.
That’s especially good news for quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava chose to return to UCLA for another season, a decision that speaks volumes about his belief in what Chesney is building. The former Tennessee standout, who helped lead the Vols to the College Football Playoff in 2024, is betting on himself and the Bruins to take a big step forward. And now, he has a versatile weapon in Knight to lean on-someone who can bail him out when plays break down or take a screen pass and turn it into a 40-yard gain.
Knight’s arrival is part of a broader offensive overhaul for UCLA. The Bruins are rebuilding their offensive line, reworking their scheme, and adding key playmakers to turn the page from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Knight fits that vision perfectly. He was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection and a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the nation’s most versatile player.
That’s not just hype-it’s production backed by performance.
UCLA doesn’t need Knight to be Maurice Jones-Drew 2.0. They just need him to be Wayne Knight-the do-it-all back who can keep drives alive, take pressure off the quarterback, and give this offense the spark it’s been missing. If he’s anything close to the player he was at JMU, the Bruins just landed one of the most impactful transfers in the country.
And if UCLA wants to climb back into bowl contention, Knight’s going to be a big reason why.