Carter Sweazie Brings Grit, Experience, and Much-Needed Depth to UCLA's Offensive Line
UCLA’s offensive line just got a little tougher-and a lot more experienced-with the addition of James Madison transfer Carter Sweazie. The fifth-year guard arrives in Westwood with 23 starts under his belt and an all-Sun Belt nod from 2025, adding a veteran presence to a Bruins unit in transition under new head coach Bob Chesney.
Let’s break down what Sweazie brings to the table and how he fits into a UCLA offensive line that’s still very much being reshaped.
A Proven Starter With a Blue-Collar Game
Sweazie may not have been a household name coming out of high school-he wasn’t rated or ranked as a prep prospect-but he’s carved out a solid college career the hard way. Now rated as a three-star transfer with an 85 grade and ranked No. 126 among inside offensive linemen in the portal, he’s earned his stripes on the field.
At 6-foot-1 and 327 pounds, Sweazie isn’t your prototypical Power Four lineman in terms of height, but he makes up for it with a low center of gravity and a stout build that helps him anchor in the trenches. His game starts with the run: he’s a true mauler in the ground attack, capable of driving defenders off the ball and staying engaged through the whistle. James Madison leaned on him frequently in pulling situations, and his nimbleness on the move is one of his more underrated traits.
Pass protection is a bit more of a mixed bag. Sweazie can get caught off balance when retreating against athletic pass rushers, and that showed up at times in matchups against Power Four opponents like Louisville and Oregon. But he’s technically sound-he uses his hands well and avoids costly penalties-and he held his own more often than not, especially when the Bruins of the ACC and Ducks of the Pac-12 tried to test him in the run game.
A Culture Fit in Westwood
Sweazie’s transfer to UCLA wasn’t necessarily expected-especially after the Bruins secured a recommitment from Eugene Brooks, who figures to lock down the left guard spot. But his arrival is a clear win for the Bruins, particularly when you look at the bigger picture of what Chesney and offensive line coach Chris Smith are trying to build.
With two interior starting spots still open-right guard and center-Sweazie enters spring ball firmly in the mix. He’s likely to compete at both positions, and at the very least, he gives UCLA a battle-tested option who can step in without missing a beat. That kind of versatility and experience is invaluable, especially for a team adjusting to a new coaching staff and offensive identity.
And let’s not overlook the intangible value here. Sweazie is one of several former JMU players making the leap to UCLA with Chesney, and that continuity matters.
These are players who know the expectations, understand the culture, and bring the kind of work ethic and accountability that Chesney is emphasizing. Sweazie isn’t just a body in the room-he’s a tone-setter.
A Quiet Win for the Bruins' Trenches
Offensive line additions don’t always generate headlines, but make no mistake-this is a meaningful pickup for UCLA. Whether Sweazie ends up starting or serving as a key rotational piece, he gives the Bruins something they sorely need: depth, leadership, and a player the coaching staff already trusts.
In a unit that relies so heavily on cohesion, communication, and trust, having a veteran like Sweazie in the mix is a big deal. He’s not just filling a spot-he’s helping lay the foundation for the kind of offensive line UCLA wants to build in this new era.
And if spring practice shakes out the way it might, don’t be surprised if No. 52 is right in the middle of the action when the Bruins take the field this fall.