UCLA’s fall camp has mostly settled the big questions, but one spot on the offensive line is still wide open enough to watch closely.
The Bruins have three guards in the mix for two starting jobs, and that competition is shaping up as one of the few real battles left before Week 1 against Cal on Sep. 5. Carter Sweazie, Julian Armella and Eugene Brooks all spent time with the first team during the opening week of practices, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times.
Sweazie arrives as the transfer guard from James Madison, where he played under Bob Chesney and earned 2025 Third Team All-Sun Belt honors. That connection with Chesney stands out as a major factor in how this race could shake out.
Armella brings game experience of his own. He made four starts for UCLA last season, all at right guard, and also logged snaps at left guard, giving the Bruins another option with some versatility.
Brooks may have the strongest case on paper. The junior is back after appearing in and starting 11 games for UCLA last season, and that kind of familiarity with the program can matter in a tight competition.
If the decision were made today, the best guess is Brooks at left tackle and Sweazie at right tackle.
Brooks’ starting experience and comfort in the system give him the edge, while Sweazie’s ties to Chesney - and to running back Wayne Knight - could help push him into the right guard spot.
Most of UCLA’s starting offense is already taking shape, but the offensive line remains the area with the most uncertainty. As camp continues, that picture should get clearer.
In Other News...
UCLA Fall Camp Is Already Turning Up The Heat On Nico Iamaleava
UCLAs first week of fall camp has already offered a pretty clear early snapshot of where things stand on offense. Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy has drawn positive reviews, and the Bruins have also seen encouraging work from running backs Wayne Knight, Jaivian Thomas and Anthony Woods, along with wide receivers Landon Ellis, Mikey Matthews and Brian Rowe Jr. With camp still in its early stages and practice access limited, it is only a first look, but there is enough there to suggest the group around the quarterback is giving the staff something to work with.
The bigger question, of course, is how Nico Iamaleava settles in as the pace and pressure build. The early assessment from camp is that he has not yet fully met expectations, which makes the next stretch of practices worth watching closely for UCLA. Fall camp can change fast once the pads stay on and the reps stack up, and the Bruins still have plenty of time for the offense to sort itself out before the real evaluations begin. [Read more 🡒]
Aidan Mizell Is Forcing His Way Into UCLA's Receiver Battle
Aidan Mizell has been one of the more interesting names to watch in UCLAs fall camp, and not just because he arrived as a Florida transfer looking for a fresh start. The receiver has shown good chemistry with Nico Iamaleava and has put himself in the mix for a starting job, which matters for a Bruins passing game that could use a reliable vertical option. His college path has already been slowed by injuries, so every healthy stretch carries a little more weight than it might for someone with a cleaner rsum.
Mizells skill set gives UCLA something it does not want to waste. If he can stay on the field, he has a chance to become a legitimate deep threat and add another layer to the offense as the receiver battle tightens. He has already spent some practice time on the sideline this camp, which makes the next few weeks especially important, but the staff does not appear to be sounding alarms. For now, the intrigue is whether his camp momentum can survive long enough to matter when the lineup decisions start getting real. [Read more 🡒]