UCLA’s roster has been turned over in a big way, with 42 incoming transfers and another 20 freshmen arriving as the Bruins head into fall camp. The freshman class doesn’t sit near the top of the national rankings - Rivals has it 16th in the Big Ten, just ahead of Wisconsin and Nebraska - but there are still first-year players who could carve out real roles if camp breaks the right way.
The biggest early question for some of those newcomers is simply where they fit. On the offensive line, the Bruins brought in several freshmen with size and upside, but the adjustment to college bodies is always the first test.
One of them may need to add weight to hold up at tackle. Another, Javorsky, played right guard and now has to see whether he can handle the left side with uncertainty behind Eugene Brooks.
McDonald and Price are both listed as interior linemen, yet their frames - McDonald at 6-6, 330 pounds and Price at 6-5 - could eventually point them toward tackle. Hickey, meanwhile, played mostly guard in high school, but a move to center could make sense over time.
Young comes in with a different kind of path. He was stellar at Diablo Valley College, and even with UCLA’s starting offensive line set for next season, he could become the kind of backup the Bruins trust if injuries hit.
The receiver group also gives a few freshmen a chance to make noise, even if the room has been rebuilt and the depth chart is crowded. Moore is the class’s highest-ranked player, checking in at 413th nationally and 63rd among wide receivers, but he still has to fight for space in a reshaped room.
Pride brings a different profile at 6-3 and 190 pounds, and he’ll need to put on more weight. His size could eventually make him a red-zone target.
Kier is another receiver who could force his way into the conversation, not just on offense but as a kick return option, thanks to his speed and quickness despite being 6-2.
At tight end, the opportunity looks a little clearer. UCLA enters the season with a thin room, and Josh Phifer and Brayden Loftin are battling for the starting job. That opens the door for Jensen, who could push into the backup mix if he has a strong camp.
There are similar openings on defense, especially for freshmen who can prove they belong physically and mentally. Almada is one of the top defensive linemen in the class, but he’s also described as a raw prospect who has to develop beyond pure athleticism.
Moffat, at 6-4 and 255 pounds, has the kind of frame that could eventually move him to the edge. Soliai-Tui stands out as one of the more versatile players in the group and could climb the depth chart quickly, especially with third-string linebacker still unsettled.
Muasau isn’t highly ranked, but his athleticism gives him a chance to contribute on special teams and maybe work his way into linebacker snaps.
In the secondary, Hirou brings versatility of his own. He can play in the box or at free safety, and the big question is where he fits best. Lavender is also a skilled free safety, but the Bruins already have the secondary set for next year, so the challenge for him may be patience as much as performance.
Special teams could matter for a few freshmen, too. Fox has a crowded path at running back, which means return work may be his best route to the field. The same kind of opening exists for Muasau, whose athleticism could help him earn a role there.
There’s also a small but important note at long snapper. Salem Abdul-Wahab played in all 12 games for UCLA last year and will start this year, leaving redshirt freshman Halakilangi Muagututi’a as the only other longsnapper on the roster.
Quarterback depth is another spot worth watching. Nico Iamaleava is the starter, and transfer Ty Dieffenbach sits behind him. That leaves Bordeaux and Iamaleava’s brother Madden to battle for the third-string job.
In Other News...
One New Bruin Could Transform UCLAs Defense Right Away
Bob Chesneys first offseason at UCLA has already been defined by volume, with more than 40 transfers arriving as he reshapes the roster for 2026. The biggest question for the Bruins is how quickly that influx can change the defense, especially after bringing in a proven front-line player from James Madison who arrives with the kind of production and recognition that usually travels well.
The challenge now is less about whether he can help and more about how fast he can adjust to a tougher weekly climb in the Big Ten. His redshirt freshman season at James Madison was strong enough to earn a stack of honors and put him on the radar as an immediate-impact addition, but UCLA is counting on him to translate that rsum into disruption against a much deeper level of competition. [Read more 🡒]
Nico Iamaleava Just Weighed In On The Big Ten SEC Debate
At Big Ten media days, Nico Iamaleava offered a perspective that carries a little extra weight because he has lived on both sides of the sports biggest conference argument. UCLAs starting quarterback transferred from Tennessee to the Bruins and has now played in the SEC and the Big Ten, giving him a firsthand look at two leagues that are often measured against each other in every possible way.
Iamaleava said both conferences are strong, physical and stocked with talent, and he pushed back on the notion that one side has a clear edge in depth. From his view, the gap has narrowed as both leagues continue to recruit elite athletes, which makes the debate feel less like a hierarchy than a comparison of two heavyweights. For UCLA, that matters because its quarterback is not just adjusting to a new team, but also framing what the Bruins are walking into every week. [Read more 🡒]