UCLA Bruins Football: Offensive Transfer Portal Additions for 2026

A new era is underway in Westwood. The UCLA Bruins football team, under new head coach Bob Chesney, have remained busy since his arrival. UCLA has acquired much-needed talent in the transfer portal in hopes of returning to its winning ways. A step towards that goal relies on improving from last season’s bottom-performing Big Ten offense.

UCLA Bruins Football: Offensive Transfer Portal Additions

Impact Signings

The Blue and Gold saw 28 players (13 of whom were offensive) leave the program this offseason. However, they responded with 42 new transfers (20 offensive).

The priority heading into this season was addressing the lack of protection for cornerstone quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The former transfer was the Big Ten’s fourth-most sacked quarterback (27 times) in 2025. The solution: introducing eight new linemen.

Additionally, the loss of their top receiving leaders prompted the Bruins to stack depth at the position. The Bruins have 10 new pass-catchers (including tight ends) arriving in Los Angeles, aiming to produce UCLA’s first 700-yard receiver since 2022. The backfield also added two signees to address the departures.

With two four-star and 40 three-star recruits joining the roster, Chesney’s efforts were ranked as the nation’s 12th-best transfer portal according to On3.com’s index.

Bruins’ Latest Offensive Weapons

Entering 2026, there was no question that UCLA’s offense needed an overhaul. Last year’s unit was utterly disappointing, both through the air and on the ground. The incoming athletes are expected to deliver a more lethal and consistent offensive prowess.

Wide Receivers

With no Kwazi Gilmer to lead the passing attack, new arrivals Aidan Mizell (Florida), Brian Rowe Jr. (South Carolina), Leland Smith (San Jose State), Landon Ellis (James Madison), Marcus Harris (Washington) and Semaj Morgan (Michigan) will look to settle into their roles in Westwood. However, all eyes are centered on the two receivers coming off 600-yard seasons: Smith and Ellis.

Smith joins from the Spartans, where he posted career-highs: 43 catches, 688 yards (four 100-yard games) and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 receiver is naturally a tough cover due to his size. However, it’s his ball skills that make his outside presence a threat. Smith has the ability to make contested catches down the field, while using his speed to get behind defenders.

THAT IS WHAT LELAND SMITH DOES ‼️

📺 @CBSSports Network#AllSpartans pic.twitter.com/b9RiDBlzl3

— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) October 18, 2025

Accompanying Smith is fellow transfer wideout Landon Ellis. The now-senior is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he led his team in receiving yards. Ellis’ latest campaign consisted of 36 catches for 624 yards and five end zone celebrations with the Dukes. Though not the physical specimen Smith is, Ellis’ track speed and sure hands are displayed across the field, making him suitable in any offense. He could easily emerge as Iamaleava’s favorite target and be a consistent go-to option.

Another player to watch is the former four-star recruit, Mizell, who saw limited opportunity with the Gators in 2025 (19-177-1). He could sneak his way into a WR3 role with this Bruins squad.

Tight Ends

As for the rest of the newly acquired pass catchers, tight ends Josh Phifer (James Madison), Harry Lodge (Wake Forest), Brayden Loftin (Kansas State) and Stevie Amar Jr. (Boston College) will all compete for rotational reps. All carry unique traits, but Amar Jr. remains the most intriguing out of the bunch. He is a project player who could produce in this scheme.

Running Backs

A position group that failed to produce a 400-yard rusher last year is welcoming the reigning FBS all-purpose yards leader, and former James Madison running back Wayne Knight. Knight is fresh off a 2,039-yard campaign where his 1,373 rushing yards ranked seventh in the country and his 6.6 yards per carry sat above all other 200-attempt rushers. If he is a fraction of what he was in his breakout year, UCLA could be looking at its new RB1 — especially considering he’s back with his former head coach.

In Knight’s 14 appearances in 2025, he posted five 100-yard rushing performances and eclipsed 200 yards once. He is a bell-cow back who could see a heavy workload. He also brings premier pass-catching, as his 40 receptions and 397 receiving yards both ranked top-five among running backs. To highlight further, Knight is exceptional at finding rushing lanes and taking them the distance. He has the patience, the vision and the burst to get to the second level at ease. Not to mention his stubbornness to get tackled makes him a matchup nightmare.

WAYNE KNIGHT TAKES IT 73 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 🏠

The longest rush of his career in the Sun Belt Championship! pic.twitter.com/mLuQjfWUXH

— ESPN (@espn) December 6, 2025

Another piece added to the equation is Iowa State transfer Dylan Lee. The former three-star recruit hasn’t seen much action in his first two years, playing just seven games. However, in the one proper sample size we have, Lee stacked 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. He would likely just be a depth option, but could be a promising contributor down the line.

Offensive Linemen

Wrapping up the offensive transfer additions, the Bruins took a heavy approach to improving the o-line. The eight linemen additions consist of five interior pieces and three tackles: Derek Osman (Harvard), Riley Robell (JMU), Carter Sweazie (JMU), Sean Na’a (Arizona State), JD Rayner (JMU), Mack Indestad (Eastern Michigan), Jordan Davis (South Alabama) and Hall Schmidt (Boise State).

Sweazie, Robell and Rayner are just three of the 10 James Madison transfers that followed Chesney to UCLA. The trio will get an opportunity to block for a familiar face in Knight. Moreover, they bring the size, physicality and most importantly, experience to a newly constructed offensive line. For what it’s worth, consider it an upgrade in the trenches.

Transfer Portal Recap

With new leadership at the helm, UCLA remained aggressive in its pursuit of talent in the transfer portal. Surely, some of the acquisitions will play a role in flipping the program around. Offensively, keeping No. 9 protected and giving him reliable weapons should gear towards success. The moves made this offseason reflect that exact motive as year two of Iamaleava takes place.

Regardless, winning is all that matters. The names on paper are irrelevant; only the results on the gridiron hold value.