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UCLA football offensive line battles for starting spots ahead of season opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 9:04 PM

Last updated Aug 18, 2026

UCLA football offensive line battles for starting spots ahead of season opener

Summary

UCLA's football team prepares for the season opener against California on September 5, focusing on the offensive line's performance. Recent years have seen it described as weak, contributing to a struggling offense and quarterback Nico Iamaleava being sacked 27 times last season. New head coach Bob Chesney has brought in reinforcements from James Madison, with potential starters Riley Robell and Carter Sweazie adding depth. Robell is recovering from a mild sprain but was active during practice, while Jensen Somerville is showing promise at left tackle. The competition for starting roles remains intense as the team approaches the start of the season.

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Status Watch

•UCLA faces California in the season opener on September 5.
•Last season, UCLA allowed 27 sacks, ranking No. 96 in FBS.
•Riley Robell could be starting center, recovering from a mild sprain.
•Carter Sweazie competes for a starting guard position.
•Competition for starting roles ongoing as practices continue.

Latest Updates

9:04 PMYahoo Sports — Can UCLA’s offense finally dispense with its thin blue line?

What they're saying

"
It’s the position that will likely determine the fate of UCLA’s offense – if not its season. In recent years, it’s been given all sorts of unfortunate labels. Weak. Feeble....
— Yahoo Sports

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