Wayne Knight primed to have big season and re-energize the Bruins running game

Wayne Knight was one of the biggest portal additions of the Bob Chesney first year class. With a total of 41 transfers coming in. Knight figures to have one of the biggest roles out of all of them. Trying to kickstart a running game that has been pretty absent the last two years. Knight is a small running back but displays a ton of explosive ability. With many game changing plays for James Madison last year. The hope is that he will do the same for UCLA in 2026.

Knight immediately slots in as the starting running back and one that will get a majority of the carries. That’s another area that UCLA struggled with in 2025. You never knew who was going to get the bulk of carries. They had four running backs who all received similar share of the backfield. That is great in theory, but not when your running game struggles. You need to have a guy that can be the number one, then guys that can spell that starting running back when he needs a breather.

Knight at James Madison last year did it all. He had 207 carries for 1,373 yards, which included nine touchdowns on the ground. He also chipped in 40 catches for 397 yards and another touchdown. Proving to be an all purpose running back and can do it all for his team. That is something that UCLA has not had since they had Zach Charbonnet. It is something that they will be very grateful for in 2026 as they look to succeed in the Big Ten for the first time.

We expect Knight to continue his success, even going to a bigger school in UCLA. He is so dynamic even at his smaller size. The familiarity in Chesney and Dean Kennedy’s system will also play a large role for him. He doesn’t need to change much in his game with the coaching staff. Since he spent the last few years with that same coaching staff at James Madison. It will be an exciting time for UCLA to re-energize their once great running game again.