The defensive line was one of two very important areas that UCLA needed to fix. They did just that through this transfer portal. Beginning with star transfer Sahir West, who follows Bob Chesney to Westwood coming over from James Madison. He led the Dukes defensive line this past season, one that led to a College Football Playoff appearance. The best part about it, he still has three years of eligibility left. Three years that UCLA is hoping he sticks around for. Giving them an anchor to build around and trying to replicate the success he has had and getting even better.
SAHIR WEST HAS COMMITTED TO UCLA!
— FB5YSᴴᴰ (@FB5YS) January 11, 2026
SPIN UP THE W's IN THE CHAT!!!!!! #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/clIFDryHUT
The Bruins were one of the worst teams in the country at generating pressure on the quarterback and getting turnovers. Those two things correlate with each other. Because if you can improve your rush rate, it is going to create more turnovers. If the quarterback has pressure in his face. He is bound to make more rushed decisions. UCLA as a team in 2025 only had 10 sacks and four interceptions consistently letting quarterbacks sit back in the pocket and run through every read. That is bound to fail, and it did lead to a 3-9 season and so much turnover.
The Bruins were also able to bring in Aiden Gobaira from James Madison. He has experience and looks to translate it to a larger role. They were also able to dip into larger schools that had trouble finding playing time for guys. Such as Maxwell Roy from Ohio State and Amier Washington from Texas Tech. UCLA is hoping that if they can provide playing time for players, their talent will be able to show. Ohio State has one of the best defenses in the nation, so Roy had trouble getting snaps with so much NFL talent they have.
Ohio State true freshman DT Maxwell Roy (@MaxwellRoy8) has committed to UCLA, his agent @J_FrioEsq tells @CBSSports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 11, 2026
The 6-foot-3, 301-pound Roy was a 4-star recruit in the 2025 class and was an All-American wrestler in HS. https://t.co/k28I1p2RQy pic.twitter.com/NA37ynVpi7
Ryan McCulloch from Cal and Dallin Havea from Utah Tech, look to get snaps on the edge and help generate pressure. Overall looking at 2025 to 2026. There have been a lot of changes and in a positive way. Almost the entire defensive line will be brand new as either everyone hit the transfer portal or graduated out from 2025. Chesney looks to capitalize by being able to build the line under his mold. There is exciting potential in the unit he has brought in.