Offseason look at the wide receiver room

The receiver's room will have a lot of transition from 2025 to 2026. Exit Rico Flores Jr., Kwazi Gilmer, Ezavier Staples, Jadyn Marshall and Carter Shaw. Insert Leland Smith, Landon Ellis, Semaj Morgan, Aidan Mizell, Marcus Harris and Brian Rowe Jr. The only real hold over that had many stats in 2025 was Mikey Matthews. This was a position that had some of the most turnover this off-season. But it was done in a positive way. The Bruins brought an experience and they brought in a lot of upside from big-time schools.

Mizell comes over from Florida and will get more of an opportunity. Morgan is a transfer from Michigan who made a big play to help Michigan win a championship a few years back. Then they get Ellis and Smith from James Madison and San Jose State who were big parts of their teams last year. They’re both big bodies as well as Ellis is 6’1 and Smith is 6’4. Giving Nico Iamaleava two targets that he can throw the ball up too and know they have a chance to go get it.

Gilmer is the guy that led UCLA in receiving last year that is on his way out. He was a four star recruit out of high school choosing UCLA over schools like Oklahoma and Washington. He made 81 catches for 880 yards and six touchdowns over two seasons with the Bruins. As he was a speedy receiver that ran routes very well. Flores Jr. was the second leading receiver they lost. He never really got his footing with UCLA after transferring over from Notre Dame in 2024. Registering 38 catches for 461 yards and a touchdown in two seasons.

The positive is with this room, the Bruins brought in a lot more talent than what is going out. Staples, Marshall and Shaw didn’t play a factor in the offense either much or at all. While UCLA gets multiple players that have had success at the D-1 level. Iamaleava will have a lot more weapons to throw to. Ellis, Mizell and Smith on the outside with Matthews, Morgan and Harris on the inside is so intriguing to think about. Dean Kennedy is chopping at the bits to get going.