This post was updated Aug. 30 at 11:52 p.m. UCLA football begins its 2026 season Sept. 5 against California away at California Memorial Stadium. After a discouraging 3-9 campaign last year, the Bruins begin a new era under coach Bob Chesney, with both former conference rivals seeing major roster turnover and staff changes during the offseason. Read more...
2026 UCLA Football Season Preview
(Illustration by Haley Park/Illustrations & Cartoons director)
UCLA football enters its first year under coach Bob Chesney, having undergone major changes across its entire roster, staff and brand. With a new era being ushered in, Daily Bruin Sports analyzes all of the changes the Bruins have made entering the 2026 season, predicts the year’s outlook and comments on the program’s biggest storylines.
Football, Sports
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August 26, 9:10 pm
Trent Hendrick to bring vital defense to UCLA football season following eligibility
This post was updated Aug. 30 at 10:37 p.m. There may never have been a more confusing time to be a college football fan. Just two days after UCLA football’s newest member – fifth-year linebacker Trent Hendrick – transferred to the program after receiving a temporary restraining order from a Louisiana court, granting him and several other athletes a fifth year of eligibility, the Big Ten became the first FBS conference to pass a rule that bans NFL players from returning to play in the conference. Read more...
Photo: UCLA football coach Bob Chesney speaks to media after his team’s practice Aug. 6 at Spaulding Field. (Kai Dizon/Assistant Photo editor)
Football, Sports, Sports Columns
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August 25, 6:02 pm
2026 UCLA football position preview: Wide receivers, tight ends
As UCLA football enters its first year under coach Bob Chesney and its third season in the Big Ten, Daily Bruin Sports will preview the personnel of the Bruins’ position groups and predict their 2026 outlook prior to the season’s opening game Sept. Read more...
Photo: Sophomore wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr. runs downfield while looking back during practice. Rowe is entering his first season in Westwood after playing his freshman year at South Carolina. (Photo by Leydi Cris Cobo Cordon/Daily Bruin senior staff. Design by Armaan Dhillon/Assistant Design director)
Football, Sports, Sports Columns
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August 24, 4:13 pm
2026 UCLA football position preview: Special teams
As UCLA football enters its first year under coach Bob Chesney and third season in the Big Ten, Daily Bruin Sports will preview the personnel of the Bruins’ position groups and predict their 2026 outlook prior to the season’s opening game Sept. Read more...
Photo: Senior kicker Mateen Bhaghani attempts an extra point during UCLA football’s practice Aug. 6 at Spaulding Field. (Photo by Kai Dizon/Assistant Photo editor; Design by Armaan Dhillon/Assistant Design director)
Football, Sports, Sports Columns
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August 23, 12:44 am
2026 UCLA football position preview: Running backs
As UCLA football enters its first year under coach Bob Chesney and third season in the Big Ten, Daily Bruin Sports will preview the personnel of the Bruins’ position groups and predict their 2026 outlook prior to the season’s opening game Sept. Read more...
Photo: Fifth-year running back Wayne Knight weaves past a dummy during the team’s practice Monday at Spaulding Field. Knight transferred to UCLA from James Madison this past offseason. (Photo by Kai Dizon/Assistant Photo editor, Design by Armaan Dhillon/Assistant Design director)
Football, Sports, Sports Columns
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August 22, 1:38 am
2026 UCLA football position preview: Offensive line
This post was updated Aug. 31 at 12:16 a.m. As UCLA football enters its first year under coach Bob Chesney and third season in the Big Ten, Daily Bruin Sports will preview the personnel of each of the Bruins’ position groups and predict their 2026 outlooks prior to the season’s official start Sept. Read more...
Photo: UCLA’s offensive linemen stand together during practice. The Bruins brought in nine transfers in the offseason. (Daily Bruin File Photo, Design by Armaan Dhillon/Assistant Design director)
Football, Sports
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August 21, 12:57 pm
Individuality and connection combine to define UCLA football’s 2026-27 strategy
This post was updated Aug. 23 at 8:51 p.m. With a roster featuring 55 new players and 19 new coaches, including both top coordinators, creating a sense of camaraderie and connection among the new faces of Westwood is at the forefront of head coach Bob Chesney’s first fall camp. Read more...
Photo: UCLA football coach Bob Chesney talks to his team after practice at Spaulding Field on Aug. 17. The Bruins open the 2026 campaign on Sept. 5 against California. (Kai Dizon/Assistant Photo editor)