As UCLA's Sept. 5 season opener against California draws closer, head coach Bob Chesney believes the Bruins are entering a different phase of preseason camp.

"A good day," Chesney said. "Getting closer to, obviously, game week so every step we take now has to be just advancing this program." 

After returning from Irvine and moving deeper into game preparation, several themes have begun to define the final stretch of preseason camp.

BRUINS GETTING OFFENSIVE
After the offense was challenged by the coaches earlier in the week following practice, the unit responded with one of its stronger performances of camp.  

"They just needed to tighten it up a little bit," Chesney said. "The defense is in a situation right now that they're flying around, and this offense has got to be able to withstand those pressures and they have to be able to put themselves in a situation where someone is going to be that aggressive, you have to make them pay a little bit." 

Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy saw significant improvement from his group throughout the week.

"That just was not our standard, right?" Kennedy said. "I thought they rebounded unbelievably. There was so much more juice, you could hear it, you could feel it. They did a really good job of responding." 

For Kennedy, the most encouraging development was the way the offense handled adversity.

"There has to be leadership in the moments when it's going well and there's has to be leadership in the moments where it's going bad."  

ULTIMATE COMPETITORS
Earlier this week in an appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, Chesney revisited a concept that he has discussed throughout his career: the difference between competitors and what he refers to as “ultimate competitors.”

Ultimate competitors are the ones who elevate everyone around them, and he feels like this year’s version of the Bruins has several players who fit that description, including quarterback Nico Iamaleava, linebacker Sammy Omosigho and edge rusher Aiden Gobaira. 

“There are a handful of five to six guys who just elevate everybody and just won’t stand for anything other than their best.”

NICO CONTINUES TO GROW
As camp has progressed, Chesney has consistently pointed to quarterback Nico Iamaleava's growing command of the offense.

"I think he has completely bought in," Kennedy said. 

The relationship between quarterback and coaching staff has steadily grown throughout the offseason.

"As a coach, you have to prove that you care about them — you care about who they are as a human being — and then that's where that trust starts to begin and you start to break down those barriers," Kennedy said. 

Chesney continues to see progress in the quarterback's understanding of what defenses are trying to accomplish.

"His command of the offense is really good right now; he's doing a really good job of getting us into the right plays," Chesney said. "I think he's doing a really good job of seeing the defense." 

The next step is improving the connection in the passing game.

"We've just got to continue to connect with the receivers right now," Chesney said.

THERE IS THAT NAME AGAIN
The name of freshman defensive back CJ Lavender continues to keep coming up in discussions of standouts during preseason camp. Chesney again pointed to the Southern California product who starred at Mater Dei High School as the player who has shown notable growth in camp. 

"CJ Lavender is a kid that just — he's fast, he's physical, he gets the game for a young kid," Chesney said. “The way he plays, is not like freshman right now.” 

Lavender's impressive camp was also evident in a recent scrimmage.

"Every day you have to learn to put in the work, put in the grind and go make a play," Hitschler said. "A lot of freshmen tend to hit walls at some point and [Lavender] just breaks through every one of them and just keep making plays."  

BUILDING DEPTH IN THE TRENCHES
Chesney noted that the offensive line continues to improve despite dealing with injuries and lineup adjustments.

"They continue to get better every single day and we're starting to find some depth in there as well," Chesney said. 

Among the players earning praise is tackle Jensen Somerville, the junior from Lehi, Utah, who appeared in all 12 of UCLA’s games a year ago. 

"Jensen Somerville's doing a good job," Chesney said. "He is imposing and he's tough and he just continues to grow in his confidence." 

Chesney also highlighted Hall Schmidt, a transfer from Boise State who won a Mountain West Championship with the Broncos in 2024 while blocking for Heisman Trophy runner-up and current Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty.

"Hall's solid," Chesney said. "He's an overall solid guy that understands it, has fun playing this game, and plays with an edge." 

One of the biggest themes of preseason camp remains the competition up front.

"I always think back to Tom Brady," Chesney said. "He legitimately thought every time he stepped foot on that field, if I don't play well this week I'm not going to be able to start next week." 

That approach applies to every position.

"That's the mentality I want our team to have.”

RUNNING BACKS CONTINUE TO IMPRESS
The running back room has consistently drawn praise from Chesney and others throughout preseason camp, and the reasons go beyond rushing production.

"They can protect, they are viable receiving options out of the backfield," Chesney said. "They see whatever the run scheme is very, very well." 

What has stood out most to the head coach, however, is their mentality.

"They legitimately seek violence," Chesney said.  "When it's time to put their pads down, they aren’t afraid to do it," Chesney said. "And that bodes well for this offense."