2026 UCLA Football Depth Chart

UCLA’s quarterback pecking order for fantasy purposes is clear-cut. Nico Iamaleava sits firmly atop the depth chart, combining five-star talent with virtually unchallenged job security. The Bruins lost their former blue-chip QB (Dante Moore) to transfer and haven’t brought in any high-profile competition, so Iamaleava will be the offensive centerpiece under new coach Bob Chesney. His only backups are his true-freshman brother and an FCS transfer, underscoring that the dynamic dual-threat will have a long leash. In short, Iamaleava’s rushing upside and pedigree easily put him at QB1, with Madden Iamaleava a distant QB2 purely by default and a Cal Poly import like Ty Dieffenbach simply filling emergency depth.

At running back, the challenge was ranking three talented transfers in what projects to be a committee. We gave the nod to Wayne Knight as RB1 due to his explosive production (1,373 rush yards and 9 TDs last year) – even if it came at James Madison. Knight was an AP second-team All-American and brings game-breaking burst that UCLA’s offense sorely lacked, so we expect him to lead this backfield. Jaivian Thomas slots in at RB2 on our board thanks to his proven Power-5 experience (he led Cal with 626 rushing yards and 7 scores in 2024) and well-rounded skill set. Thomas is a dependable runner who should see plenty of work, even if Knight offers more home-run plays. Anthony Woods – an FCS star at Idaho who transferred via Utah – lands at RB3 for upside. Woods was a 1,155-yard rusher and first-team All-Big Sky in 2023, but he still must carve out a defined role behind Knight and Thomas at the FBS level. In summary, we prioritized Knight’s burst and high ceiling over Thomas’s steadiness, while acknowledging this trio will likely rotate extensively in one of the team’s strongest position groups.

The wide receiver hierarchy was tricky to project given an almost total overhaul of the unit. We’re giving Landon Ellis (transfer from JMU) the top spot at WR1, mainly due to his likely rapport with new coordinator Dean Kennedy and a history of production that suggests he’ll be a target hog. Ellis put up 624 yards and 5 TDs last season and brings the kind of reliable hands and YAC ability to be UCLA’s de facto No. 1 option. Aidan Mizell checks in as WR2 – the former Florida Gator has elite speed and big-play potential that should pair nicely with Iamaleava’s strong arm. Mizell never fully broke out at UF, but his field-stretching ability could yield high fantasy upside if the Bruins utilize him as a vertical threat. For the third receiver slot, we gave a slight edge to Leland Smith as WR3. Smith is a 6’4″ outside receiver who excelled at San Jose State (688 yards in 2025) and will provide a much-needed contested-catch and red-zone presence. He struggled to see targets after a transfer to Purdue, but his size and catch radius give him a higher touchdown upside than UCLA’s returning receivers.

Mikey Matthews, a well-established slot weapon, opens as our WR4. While Matthews is the incumbent with solid experience, the influx of transfer talent tempers his fantasy outlook. He’ll have to fend off Michigan import Semaj Morgan, who offers a similar underneath skill set and is pushing for the starting slot role. We leaned Matthews slightly ahead of Morgan to start, based on experience and rapport, but this is a key tension point – if Matthews doesn’t clearly outshine him early, Morgan could eat into those snaps. Finally, we slotted Brian Rowe Jr. at WR6. The former four-star put up 149 yards as a true freshman at South Carolina, showcasing plenty of athletic upside. Rowe may begin behind the more seasoned slot receivers, but he has the talent to force his way into the rotation as the year progresses. In summary, we prioritized the newcomers likely to command targets from day one (Ellis, Mizell, Smith) over holdovers, while noting the intense competition brewing in the slot. The key will be balancing raw talent versus established chemistry – a new-look receiving corps means roles could still shift, but our rankings reflect who has the inside track this offseason.

Tight end is a major question mark for UCLA, so we approached it by focusing on receiving upside. We tentatively slotted Kansas State transfer Brayden Loftin at TE1, believing his pass-catching ability (125 yards and 2 TDs as a true freshman at K-State) gives him the highest fantasy ceiling of the bunch. Former JMU tight end Josh Phifer comes in as TE2 due to his familiarity with the new offensive system and coaching staff. Phifer’s experience under Chesney/Kennedy might earn him more snaps early, but he was only a reserve last year, so we’re not convinced he’ll out-produce the more athletic Loftin. This position battle remains fluid – no clear pass-catcher has emerged yet – but we’re banking on Loftin’s receiving pedigree while keeping an eye on Phifer’s role. For kicker, Mateen Bhaghani projects as K1 by default, as the transfer from Cal Poly (listed as a junior) is the only scholarship kicker on the roster and should inherit all placekicking duties without competition.

1️⃣ Final Depth Chart Output: