ROSEMONT, Ill. – Senior defensive back Ta’Shawn James of the UCLA football team was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon after helping UCLA to a season-opening 45-24 victory at California on Sept. 5.

James had a standout performance in his Bruin debut, recording two interceptions and eight tackles in the winning effort. His two picks came on back-to-back defensive drives in the fourth quarter, helping UCLA outscore the host Golden Bears by a margin of 21-0 in the final stanza.

James’s eight tackles led the secondary and were third-most on the team overall.

The two interceptions were the first in James’s career. He became the first Bruin to intercept two passes in a game since former UCLA All-American linebacker Carson Schwesinger did so in a homecoming victory over Iowa on Nov. 8, 2024.

Schwesinger, who was tabbed the B1G Defensive Player of the Week after that outing, is UCLA’s most-recent, and only other, Big Ten weekly award recipient on the defensive side of the ball.

UCLA returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 12, hosting San Diego State at the Rose Bowl in the team’s 2026 home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. PT on Big Ten Network.

UCLA's All-Time Big Ten Conference Player of the Week Awards
- K Mateen Bhaghani, Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 2, 2024)
- QB Ethan Garbers, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21, 2024)
- WR Kwazi Gilmer, Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Nov. 4, 2024)
- LB Carson Schwesinger, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 11, 2024)
- QB Nico Iamaleava, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 6, 2025)
- K Mateen Bhaghani, Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 20, 2025)
- DB Ta’Shawn James, Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 7, 2026)