UCLA’s special teams unit has been missing a spark for a while now - the kind of playmaker who can flip the field and momentum in a heartbeat. For a program trying to climb back into national relevance, that’s not just a luxury, it’s a necessity.
In 2025, the Bruins too often found themselves starting drives deep in their own territory, lacking the kind of return threat that forces punters and kickoff units to think twice. Since Kazmeir Allen moved on, that part of the game has simply been absent.
Enter Semaj Morgan.
The Michigan transfer brings more than just slot receiver skills to Westwood - he brings juice. The kind of juice that can tilt the field with one return. And for a UCLA team that’s been desperately seeking a game-changer in the return game, Morgan might be exactly what the Bruins need.
Let’s start with what he brings to the offense. At 5’10”, 174 pounds, Morgan is a shifty, quick-twitch athlete who thrives in space.
He’s got the type of route-running polish and short-area burst that makes him a natural fit in the slot. During his time at Michigan, he pulled in 69 receptions for 566 yards and four touchdowns - solid numbers, especially considering the depth of talent in that Wolverines receiver room.
But it’s his work on special teams that could truly elevate his impact in Westwood.
Morgan flashed serious return ability during Michigan’s 2023 championship run. He’s got the vision, the acceleration, and the fearlessness you want in a punt returner.
He doesn’t dance - he gets upfield fast. And when he sees a crease, he hits it with authority.
There were moments at Michigan where he was this close to breaking one, and you get the sense that it’s only a matter of time before he takes one the distance.
For UCLA, that’s not just a bonus. That’s a potential game-changer.
The Bruins have been one of the worst teams in the country in terms of starting field position the last few years. Too many drives starting inside their own 10-yard line.
Too many missed opportunities to flip the script with a big return. That adds up over the course of a season - and it puts more pressure on the offense to go the length of the field time and time again.
Morgan gives them a chance to change that narrative.
He’s got three years of college experience under his belt, and now he steps into a situation where he’ll have every opportunity to make an impact - not just as a receiver, but as a return man who can tilt the field in UCLA’s favor. The Bruins went into the transfer portal with some clear needs, and this was one of them. If Morgan can deliver, he could pay off in a big way.
Think of him as a Swiss Army knife in the mold of Wayne Knight - another all-purpose weapon who can help in multiple phases of the game. But Morgan’s return ability is what sets him apart. He can change the game with a single touch, and that’s something UCLA hasn’t had in a while.
There’s still a lot to sort out before the 2026 season kicks off. But if you’re looking for a potential X-factor in Westwood, keep an eye on No. 1 fielding punts. Semaj Morgan might just be the field-flipping, momentum-shifting playmaker UCLA’s been missing.