They say that the third time is the charm and the UCLA Bruins’ football program is hoping that will ring true this season as UCLA searches for their first winning season since moving to the Big Ten Conference ahead of the 2024 season.
A lot of that success will come down to how the UCLA offensive line can hold up. In 2024 and 2025, the Bruins’ rushing attack was not a factor. Last year quarterback Nico Iamaleava led the team in rushing with 505 yards, with much of that yardage coming on scrambles after the pocket disintegrated in front of him.
If UCLA can’t successfully run the football, or protect Iamaleava on dropbacks, the chances of a successful season dwindle significantly. Ben Bolch of the California Post dropped a piece on Tuesday on if 2026 will be the season where the Bruins’ offensive line takes a major stride with the help of a pair of James Madison transfers.
“UCLA quarterbacks absorbed 27 sacks – tied for No. 96 among 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams – and Iamaleava couldn’t play against Ohio State as a result of the sustained physical toll. Enter coach Bob Chesney, along with some significant reinforcements,” Bolch wrote. “As part of his bid to fortify the line, Chesney brought two players who could be starters along with him from James Madison. Riley Robell projects as the likely starting center, given his heavy usage before going down with a sprained medial collateral ligament over the last week, and Carter Sweazie is in a heated battle to nail down one of the starting guard spots.”
Sweazie and Robell are joined by fellow transfers Hall Schmidt and Jordan Davis along with returnees Eugene Brooks, Jensen Somerville and Julian Armella. While not all of those lineman will start Week 1, the depth will be hugely important for UCLA as they battle attrition over the course of the season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA is relying on a new-look offensive line to get better results
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