UCLA Unveils 2026 Recruiting Staff Under Bob Chesney, Eyes Long-Term Build
There’s a new era taking shape in Westwood, and it’s not just about what happens on Saturdays. UCLA head coach Bob Chesney is laying the foundation for sustained success, and on Wednesday, he officially announced his full 2026 recruiting staff-a group that blends West Coast ties, proven talent evaluators, and familiar faces from his James Madison days.
This group is more than just names on a staff directory. It’s a front office built with purpose.
“Elite scouting, recruiting and talent evaluation are key to building a championship-caliber football program,” Chesney said in a statement. And he’s backing up that vision with a staff that’s designed to find-and land-the kind of high-character, high-upside players who can thrive both in the Pac-12 and in the classroom.
Let’s break it down.
A Blend of Experience and Familiarity
At the top of the operation is Darrick Yray, who was brought on as General Manager back in December. Yray brings years of experience managing personnel departments and will serve as the connective tissue between the coaching staff and recruiting infrastructure.
Steven Price returns as Assistant General Manager, providing continuity from the previous regime. That familiarity is key, especially during a time of transition.
The recruiting staff features eight new additions, with three coming from fellow West Coast and Southwest programs-JR Moala (Oregon State), Deontrae Cooper (Arizona State), and Nick So’oto (California). That’s a strategic move. These are coaches who know the recruiting terrain out west and can hit the ground running with relationships already in place.
Then there’s the James Madison connection. Five members of the new staff-Nathan Applebaum, Cristos Argys, Trey Lane, Reed Horner, and Michael Moriarty-follow Chesney from JMU, where they helped build one of the most consistently competitive programs in the Group of Five.
That kind of continuity matters. These are people who know exactly how Chesney operates and what he expects, which should help accelerate the program’s internal alignment.
Also returning to the fold are Marshawn Friloux, JD Lake, and the aforementioned Steven Price. That trio helps maintain some institutional knowledge and familiarity with the current roster and recruiting pipelines.
Full 2026 UCLA Football Recruiting Staff:
- Darrick Yray - General Manager
- Steven Price - Assistant General Manager
- Nathan Applebaum - Executive Director, Player Personnel
- JR Moala - Executive Director, Recruiting
- Deontrae Cooper - Director, College Personnel
- Nick So’oto - Director, Player Personnel
- Marshawn Friloux - Senior Director, Football Recruiting Operations
- Cristos Argys - Director, Recruiting Strategy
- Trey Lane - Recruiting Analyst
- Reed Horner - Recruiting Analyst
- JD Lake - Recruiting Analyst
- Michael Moriarty - Recruiting Analyst
Early Returns Are Promising
This isn't just a staff built on potential-it’s already producing results.
In January, this group helped assemble the 11th-ranked transfer portal class in the country, according to On3. That’s no small feat, especially for a program in transition. The 43-player class includes two four-star transfers and six former four-star high school recruits, showing a clear emphasis on both immediate impact and long-term development.
UCLA hit key positional needs hard, especially in the trenches. Ten offensive linemen and nine defensive linemen joined the fold, with six of those O-linemen bringing 10 or more FBS starts to the table. That kind of experience is gold in today’s college football landscape, where plug-and-play talent is critical.
At the skill positions, the Bruins added six wide receivers, giving the offense more weapons to work with. And defensively, they brought in high-upside playmakers like defensive back Tao Johnson, linebacker Sammy Omosigho, and defensive lineman Sahir West-names that fans will want to keep an eye on this spring.
On offense, running back Wayne Knight and wide receiver Aiden Mizell headline a group that could help reshape UCLA’s identity on that side of the ball.
Building the Blueprint
This staff isn’t just about collecting talent-it’s about finding the right kind of talent. Chesney and his team are focused on high-character players who fit the culture they’re trying to build. And with a mix of West Coast recruiting chops and deep ties to Chesney’s previous success at JMU, this group is uniquely positioned to scout smart, recruit hard, and develop well.
The Bruins may be in the early stages of this new chapter, but the recruiting infrastructure is already showing signs of being a strength. If this front office continues to identify and land the right players, UCLA could be building something sustainable-and special-out west.
It’s early, but the pieces are coming together.