The Rose Bowl is a quiet place in January, but the offices in the Wasserman Football Center are anything but peaceful right now. Honestly, if you're a fan of the blue and gold, you've probably had a hard time keeping up with the names on the back of the jerseys lately. Between DeShaun Foster’s abrupt exit after that disastrous 0-3 start to 2025 and the arrival of Bob Chesney from James Madison, the ucla football depth chart has basically become a living document written in erasable ink.
Chesney isn't just "updating" the roster. He's performing open-heart surgery on it.
The Nico Iamaleava Factor: QB1 or Portal Bait?
Everyone wanted to know. Would he stay or would he go? For a few weeks there in late 2025, the rumors were flying faster than a Chip Kelly blur offense (RIP). Talk of Miami or Texas Tech was everywhere. But as of mid-January 2026, Nico Iamaleava is back in Westwood. This is the lynchpin for the entire ucla football depth chart. Without Nico, Chesney would be starting from sub-zero.
The kid has a cannon, but let’s be real: he needs protection. Behind him, it’s a bit of a family affair with Madden Iamaleava sitting at the QB2 spot, though Luke Duncan is still very much in the mix. Chesney also snagged DJ Bordeaux late in the cycle, a dual-threat guy who brings some much-needed chaos to the room. If Nico stays healthy, this is a top-tier Big Ten quarterback room. If he doesn't? Well, things get murky fast.
The Trenches: Where the Game is Won (and Where UCLA Struggled)
You can't win in the Big Ten with a "sorta" offensive line. You just can't. Last year was a clinic in what happens when your front five can't hold water. Chesney clearly saw the tape because he went out and practically bought a new line in the portal.
The New-Look Offensive Line
- Left Tackle: Hall Schmidt (Redshirt Senior). He’s got the frame, but he needs to prove he can handle the speed of Big Ten edge rushers.
- Guard Spots: We’re looking at a mix of veteran experience and raw power. Carter Sweazie and Riley Robell are the names to watch here.
- Center: Sam Yoon is the steady hand. He’s the guy making the calls, and honestly, his chemistry with Nico is going to decide if this offense clicks or clunks.
Then there’s the defensive side. If you haven't heard the name Maxwell Roy yet, get ready. The Ohio State transfer is a mountain of a human being. Putting him next to guys like Tyson Ford (another Big Ten transplant from Cal) and Ameir Washington gives UCLA a defensive front that finally looks like it belongs in this conference. No more getting bullied in the fourth quarter.
Wide Receiver Room: Speed, Speed, and More Speed
UCLA’s wideout room is actually kind of terrifying for opposing DCs right now. Getting Aidan Mizell to commit to the vision was huge. He’s your Z-receiver, the guy who stretches the field and keeps safeties awake at night.
Then you’ve got Semaj Morgan in the slot. He’s the "make you miss in a phone booth" type of player. Between him and Landon Ellis at the X, Nico has options. Last year, the Bruins lacked a true "alpha" at receiver. This year? They might have three. It’s a crowded room, and some of the younger guys like Marcus Harris are going to have to fight for every snap.
The Hitschler Defense: A Secondary Revolution
Colin Hitschler followed Chesney from James Madison, and the man knows defensive backs. He coached Sauce Gardner. That’s all you really need to know about his pedigree. The ucla football depth chart in the secondary is deep—like, genuinely deep.
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Rodrick Pleasant and Dante Lovett are the projected starters at corner, but don't sleep on Robert Stafford. The safety duo of Tao Johnson and Ta'Shawn James brings a level of "hit you in the mouth" physicality that was missing during the Foster era. They aren't just ball hawks; they’re erasers.
Why This Depth Chart Actually Matters This Time
In the past, UCLA depth charts felt like a list of "what ifs." This time, it feels like a blueprint. Bob Chesney has won at every single level he’s coached—D-III, D-II, FCS, and the Sun Belt. He doesn't do "rebuilding years." He does "reloading years."
The influx of 34 transfers isn't just about talent; it's about culture. He brought his guys from JMU who know his system, and he salted in blue-chip talent from the Power Four portal. It’s a gamble, sure. Chemistry takes time, and the Big Ten is a meat grinder. But for the first time in a long time, the Bruins have a roster that looks like it was built with a specific purpose in mind.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the January 16th portal deadline. That’s the "final" reshuffle before spring ball.
- Watch the Trenches: Keep an eye on any late OL additions. One more veteran tackle would make this a championship-caliber front.
- Follow the Freshman: Keep tabs on DJ Bordeaux during spring practice. If he pushes the Iamaleava brothers, the QB room gets even more interesting.
- Check the NIL: With that recent $17.3 million influx from the Layne gift, expect UCLA to be even more aggressive in the spring portal window.
The days of UCLA being a "basketball school" that occasionally plays football are over. The depth chart says so.