Bob Chesney is ready to win now with a busy offseason that included 41 transfers

Bob Chesney has had a great transfer portal season for the UCLA Bruins. After James Madison’s playoff hopes came crashing down with a loss to Oregon. It officially became the Chesney era for UCLA. He hit the ground running and has not stopped since the moment he walked in the building. Setting UCLA up for success now and in the long-term his vision is simple; he wants to bring a Big Ten championship and more to UCLA.

With so much change at UCLA and a late start to recruiting. If UCLA wanted to win as many football games as possible in 2026. It was going to need to be done through the transfer portal. Chesney brought in 41 transfers and made UCLA the busiest team in the country. There were star additions, under the radar additions and guys to fill out the roster. The culture that was built at James Madison, followed Chesney to UCLA, as the trio of Wayne Knight, Sahir West and Landon Ellis were the big haul.

UCLA makes big changes in the trenches

Both the offensive and defensive lines saw huge changes. But they were both done in a positive way and set UCLA up for success in the trenches. They will be able to protect Nico Iamaleava much better this season. Well also generating more of a rush rate on the quarterback on defense. Two areas that plague their 2025 season ending in a 3-9 record and some horrid stats on both sides. Chesney made sure that is not going to be the case in 2026.

Will the Bruins compete for a Big Ten championship in 2026? That is still to be determined. There are plenty of teams that still have a better chance, but long-term UCLA will be in the thick of things. They can easily double their win total in 2025 to 2026. While also being in a bowl game. Kicking off the Chesney era with a great start. Then moving into 2027 and hunting for a title.