The first UCLA depth chart of the season is finally coming into focus, and the Bruins are headed into Berkeley with a lot of new names ready to step into major roles.
At quarterback, there was no real mystery. Iamaleava is the man to open the season, and after being named a captain of the 2026 Bruins team, he gets the first shot to change the conversation around UCLA. Behind him, Madden Iamaleava and Ty Dieffenbach spent the summer battling for the No. 2 job, though Madden looks like the likelier backup for Week One.
The backfield should be a big part of what UCLA wants to do. Wayne Knight, the transfer from James Madison, is the centerpiece of a run game that was one of the biggest talking points all offseason. The expectation is clear: UCLA wants to lean on the ground attack, and Knight should be featured heavily.
At receiver, Brian Rowe and Landon Ellis have stayed near the top of the projections, and the battle between Mikey Matthew and Semaj Morgan is still alive. Even so, Matthew’s familiarity with Iamaleava and his time in the program make him the safer pick to start in Week One. Aidan Mizell has also stood out in practice, while Leland Smith brings size that could matter near the goal line.
Tight end looks like another spot where UCLA could mix and match, but Phifer appears to have the edge to start. His blocking fits the idea that the Bruins may want to establish the run early, though Loftin should still get on the field and could make his mark as a pass catcher.
The offensive line has been reshaped by transfers, especially at tackle. Jordan Davis, who arrived from South Alabama, is expected to start at left tackle, while Hall Schmidt, a Boise State transfer, should be the right tackle.
Robell has been working through a lingering MCL injury, but he should still be out there when the offense opens the season. Derek Osman and Sam Yoon are the names waiting behind him if that injury becomes an issue.
Inside, Brooks and Sweazie look like the best bet to win the guard spots, with Sweazie on the left and Brooks on the right. That would give UCLA what should be a much stronger front than last season’s group.
On defense, the edge opposite Sahir West is one of the trickier spots to sort out. Scott Taylor, a linebacker-turned edge rusher, seems like the favorite to get the first crack, though Aiden Gobaira has enough experience to push for the opening snaps.
The interior defensive line is loaded with transfers, and every likely rotational piece against Cal is new to UCLA. Tyson Ford is the one name that feels most secure in the lineup, while the other starting spot next to him is much harder to call.
Sammy Omosigho, named a defensive captain alongside Iamaleava, is locked in as a starter and figures to be one of the voices of the defense. The real question is who lines up with him. Jalen Woods looks like the best guess for the opener, with Trent Hendrick waiting as another option for later in the season.
The secondary could be one of the more stable parts of this team. Cole Martin may end up moving down from safety to corner, and Rodrick Pleasant and DJ Barksdale both project as strong options there. If Martin stays at safety instead, Dante Lovett would be the choice to step into a corner role.
That also leaves the Bruins with the possibility of two new starters at safety. Martin could still claim one of those spots, but if he shifts to corner, Malik Hartford looks like the player most likely to take his place back deep.
In Other News...
UCLA's Secondary Just Got A Boost And A New Camp Question
A welcome bit of clarity arrived for UCLAs secondary as Scooter Jackson has been cleared to play this season after dealing with academic eligibility issues earlier in the year. Jackson missed part of spring practice, but he was back for fall camp and is now expected to be available when the Bruins open against Cal in Week 1, giving the defense a seasoned piece at a position group that can never have too much depth.
What makes Jackson particularly useful is the kind of versatility he brings to the back end. He has experience lining up at multiple spots in the secondary, and after a strong 2025 season with UCLA, his return gives the Bruins another player they can trust as camp sorting continues. The bigger question now is how the staff chooses to deploy him once the games start, and where he fits in a defensive picture that could still use a few answers. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Faces Early Cal Questions As Key Roles Remain Unsettled
With Week One against Cal approaching, UCLA is still sorting out a few important pieces as the Bruins get ready to see who can step into meaningful roles right away. Bob Chesney has already pointed to Trent Hendrick as someone who should be able to help on defense and special teams, a useful early sign for a team trying to settle its depth chart before the opener.
The uncertainty extends beyond Hendrick, with Brian Rowe, Landon Ellis and James Madison transfer West among the names worth tracking as the matchup draws closer. For UCLA, the first game is as much about finding reliable contributors as it is about the result itself, and the way those roles shake out could say plenty about how ready the Bruins are for the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs Cal Opener Is Already Reshaping Key Bruins Position Battles
UCLAs season-opening trip to Cal did more than just restart a long-dormant conference rivalry. It also offered the first real glimpse at how the Bruins are sorting out some important spots on defense, with the opener doubling as an early read on which players the staff trusts when the game is live and the rotations get tested.
One of the more telling takeaways came up front, where Amier Washington was in the starting group at defensive tackle, and the edge group showed its own intrigue as the Bruins mixed and matched for much of the night. Even with a few minor injury scares along the way, UCLA kept competing, got a forced fumble from Samuel Omosigho and finished with Mateen Bhaghanis late field goal, but the more lasting questions may come from how the Bruins lined up when the first week actually mattered. [Read more 🡒]