UCLA football has been through some wild changes this offseason. Head coach Bob Chesney’s been busy, to put it mildly.
The transfer portal brought in a flood of new faces. Honestly, it feels like the Bruins are betting big on a turnaround for 2026.
It’s no secret—UCLA’s been spending serious cash on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to lure top talent. There are three big-name transfers in particular who, let’s be real, have a lot to prove in fall camp if they want to earn those paychecks.
So, who are these guys, and what are folks expecting from them?
Revamping the Offensive Line
The offensive line was flat-out rough last season. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava got sacked 27 times—yikes, that’s fourth-worst in the Big Ten.
Chesney clearly saw the problem and went hunting in the portal for help. Out of the new crew, Jordan Davis is the one everyone’s talking about.
Jordan Davis: A Crucial Addition
Davis just wrapped up a solid year at South Alabama and now he’s supposed to be the guy protecting Iamaleava’s blindside. His NIL deal? Over a million bucks, reportedly.
No pressure, right? He hasn’t really faced Big Ten-level competition before, so all eyes will be on him in camp. Can he hang with the best?
Bolstering the Pass Rush
The Bruins’ pass rush was, well, almost nonexistent last year. Only 10 sacks and 40 tackles for loss—dead last in the conference in both.
To fix that, Chesney brought in two edge rushers from James Madison: Sahir West and Aidan Gobaira.
Sahir West: Proven Performer
Sahir West led the Dukes with seven sacks last season. He’s got a reputation as a difference-maker.
People are watching to see if he can keep that up at UCLA. The hope is he’ll give the pass rush a much-needed jolt.
Aidan Gobaira: High Expectations
Gobaira’s story is a little messier. He put up four sacks at James Madison, but he’s battled injuries, even stepping away from football at one point for medical reasons.
His NIL valuation is up there—over $1 million. He’s got to show in camp that he’s healthy and ready to deliver, or else folks will start asking questions.
Strengthening the Secondary
UCLA’s secondary was actually a bright spot last year. With Scooter Jackson and Rodrick Pleasant returning, there’s a solid core in place.
But bringing in DJ Barksdale from James Madison? That could take things up a notch.
DJ Barksdale: The Nickel Cornerback
Barksdale’s coming in as a nickel corner, and he’s got some buzz. His NIL deal is just under $800,000, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Last season, he had two interceptions and 12 pass deflections. If he can bring that energy, he could be a real asset—but he’ll have to prove it in camp first.
The Financial Commitment
According to The NIL Standard, UCLA’s total roster NIL valuation is sitting at $24 million. Offense and defense are each getting $8 million of that pie.
That’s a huge investment, and it’s pretty clear why there’s so much focus on these new faces making an impact in camp.
The Pressure is On
Jordan Davis, Sahir West, Aidan Gobaira, and DJ Barksdale are all under the microscope now. Their fall camp performances could make or break the Bruins’ hopes for a big leap this season.
Conclusion
UCLA’s rebuilding plan for its football program leans hard on the transfer portal and NIL deals. It’s a gutsy move, honestly.
Everything comes down to how players like Jordan Davis, Sahir West, Aidan Gobaira, and DJ Barksdale perform in fall camp. With the 2026 season creeping closer, folks can’t help but wonder—will these big-name additions actually pay off and push the Bruins forward?
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
