UCLA’s roster is loaded with proven veteran transfers, but the Bruins still have a few younger players who could force their way into the spotlight faster than expected. Three names stand out: West, Rowe Jr., and true freshman CJ Lavender.
West looks like the clearest breakout candidate on the defensive side. He arrives with just one full year at James Madison behind him, but that short résumé already includes impact production.
Last season, he finished with 45 total tackles and seven sacks, and three of those sacks came in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game, where he set a record in the win over Troy. He also came out of high school with zero stars, which makes his rapid rise even more striking.
UCLA is expecting a big season from him, and his talent gives him a real chance to meet that standard.
Rowe Jr. is another young player who could make noise quickly. Coming from South Carolina, he’s entering his second season of college football with UCLA and has reportedly been turning heads during camp.
That kind of momentum matters, especially for a player who could be in the starting lineup by Week One. If his connection with Nico Iamaleava keeps growing, Rowe Jr. has a path to becoming a major piece of the offense and possibly Iamaleava’s top target by the end of the year.
Then there’s Lavender, who may be the youngest of the bunch but has already done enough in fall camp to get noticed. UCLA’s secondary is expected to be one of the stronger parts of the defense this season, which could make it tough for a true freshman to crack the lineup right away.
Still, Lavender is likely to come off the bench for most of the year, and his play in camp suggests he could be a sneaky-important addition. If he earns a real role, he could give an already improved secondary another lift.
Experience will probably shape UCLA’s early depth chart, but that doesn’t close the door on younger players making an impact. West, Rowe Jr., and Lavender each have a chance to become more than just depth pieces, and all three could end up mattering in a big way for the Bruins this season.
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