Bob Chesney rebuilds UCLA roster with transfers from James Madison

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 10, 2026, 2:07 AM

Last updated Oct 10, 2026

Bob Chesney rebuilds UCLA roster with transfers from James Madison
Summary

UCLA's new head coach Bob Chesney is revamping the football team by incorporating several transfers from James Madison. The roster features twelve former Dukes, with five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and running back Wayne Knight among the key contributors. This strategy follows a pattern similar to Chesney's predecessor, Curt Cignetti, who achieved success with a similar approach at Indiana. The Bruins look to improve their performance after a challenging 2025 season, focusing on building a strong rushing game and solid defensive line as they progress through the season.

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Key Details
  • •UCLA's roster includes twelve transfers from James Madison.
  • •Nico Iamaleava is a key player at quarterback.
  • •Wayne Knight leads the Bruins' rushing attack.
  • •UCLA's roster is ranked 24th in the 247Sports Talent Composite.
  • •The team aims to recover from a difficult prior season.
Latest Updates
  • 2:07 AMCBS Sports — UCLA roster breakdown: How Bob Chesney made Curt Cignetti's blueprint his own to rebuild the Bruins
What they're saying
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The former James Madison coach brought in a gaggle of transfers to quickly turn around what had been a dysfunctional UCLA program

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