2026 UCLA Football Incoming Transfer Tracker

updated Jan. 11, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PT ... note: all notes on remaining eligibility are made with the information provided from previous schools' websites.

Bob Chesney begins his first off-season in Westwood after being named the 20th head coach of the UCLA football program on Dec. 6, 2025. Below is a list of incoming transfers that have officially signed with the Bruins during the 15-day NCAA college football portal window (Jan. 2-16). These student-athletes are set to compete at UCLA for the upcoming 2026 season.

Stevie Amar Jr. / TE / 6-2 / 228 / Boston College / Oxnard, Calif. / Oaks Christian School
Maintained a redshirt after playing only three games, primarily on special teams, in his true freshman season at Boston College (2025) … consensus three-star recruit out of high school by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN … ranked as the No. 63 tight end in the nation and No. 99 overall recruit from California by 247Sports out of high school … ranked as the No. 46 tight end in the nation and No. 65 overall recruit from California by On3 out of high school … ranked as the No. 39 tight end in the nation and No. 84 overall recruit from California by ESPN out of high school … recorded 996 receiving yards on 89 catches, including 14 touchdowns, in his final two seasons at Oaks Christian School … as a senior in 2024, recorded 567 receiving yards on 46 catches and eight TDs … two-time All-Marmonte League First Team honoree as an upperclassman … as a junior in 2023, totaled 429 yards on 35 catches with six TDs … was a quarterback in his first two seasons at Oaks Christian … also played basketball for the Lions.

DJ Barksdale / DB / 5-7 / 180 / James Madison / Rock Hill, S.C. / South Pointe HS
Three-year letterwinner at James Madison (2023-25) … has one year of eligibility remaining … has played in 40 games, making 27 starts (started every game in 2025 and 2024) … named an All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team recipient in 2025 … named the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl Defensive MVP after recording 2.0 tackles for loss and one forced fumble to help the Dukes to their first FBS bowl win in program history (Dec. 18, 2024) … also received JMU's 2024 Unsung Hero Award at the team banquet … started all 14 games in 2025 with 12 at nickel and two at cornerback … started all 13 games in 2024 at nickel … has accumulated 93 tackles (56-37-93), 8.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, four interceptions, 19 passes defended and one forced fumble in his career … in 2025, recorded 36 tackles (22-14-36), 3.0 TFLs, two interceptions and 12 PBUs … tied for third in the Sun Belt in both pass breakups (12) and passes defended (14) in 2025 … logged a career-high three PBUs in the 2025 Sun Belt Championship versus Troy (Dec. 5) … also operated as James Madison's primary kick returner as a true freshman in 2023, averaging 21.3 per return.

Chase Barry / P / 6-4 / 205 / Oklahoma State / San Juan Capistrano, Calif. / JSerra Catholic HS
Formerly competed at UCLA from 2022-24 … transferred to Oklahoma State for the 2025 season where he played in just one game (season opener) … has played in 14 games over four seasons … was the Bruins' primary holder for the 2024 season, going without a mis-handled snap all year … punted once during the 2025 campaign at Oklahoma State, which went for 52 yards inside the 20.

Gavin Blum / DL / 6-3 / 280 / Saddleback College / San Juan Capistrano, Calif. / San Juan Hills HS
One-year letterwinner at Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, Calif.) … named a First Team All-American All-California Region III First Team by the California Community College Football Coaches Association in his true freshman season … also named All-Southern League First Team … helped Saddleback win the Southern League regular-season title … totaled 35 tackles (17-18-35), 10.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery … named All-CIF Southern Section Division 2 in his senior season at San Juan Hills High School in 2024 … honored as the 2024 Bravo League Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Darold DeNgohe / DL / 6-2 / 298 / Rutgers / Philadelphia, Pa. / La Salle College HS
One-year letterwinner at Rutgers (2025) … one-year letterwinner at James Madison (2023-24) … played in two games in his true freshman season at James Madison in 2023, earning a redshirt … has played in 18 games in his career … totaled 28 tackles (11-17-28), 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and one block in his redshirt freshman season at James Madison in 2024.

Landon Ellis / WR / 6-1 / 212 / James Madison / Orange, Va. / Woodberry Forest HS
One-year letterwinner at James Madison (2025) and two-year letterwinner at FCS Richmond (2023-24) … has one year of eligibility remaining … has played in 39 games, making 28 starts … has led his teams in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons … has totaled 1,426 receiving yards on 106 catches, including 10 touchdowns, in his career … has posted three 100-plus-yard receiving performances … earned All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team recognition in his lone season at James Madison … led the Dukes with 624 receiving yards on 36 catches and was tied for the team lead with five receiving touchdowns … has three games with 80-plus yards in 2025, including a 120-yard, three-touchdown performance versus Louisiana (Oct. 11, 2025) … led Richmond with 588 receiving yards, 50 catches and four touchdowns his sophomore season in 2024 … posted a career-high 131-yard performance at Delaware State (Oct. 19, 2024) … recorded 214 yards on 20 catches in his true freshman season, starting seven games … as a senior at Woodberry Forest High School, was named the 2022 Virginia Prep League Player of the Year … also the 2022 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association state champion in the 4x100m relay.

Aiden Gobaira / DL / 6-4 / 254 / James Madison / Fairfax, Va. / Chantilly HS
One-year letterwinner at James Madison (2025) … enrolled at Notre Dame for 2022-24, but did not compete due to injury … named a 2025 All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team honoree … played in all 14 games, making one start for the Dukes … totaled 38 tackles (18-20-38), 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks … ranked third on the team in sacks … consensus four-star recruit out of high school, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … semifinalist for the 2021 Maxwell Football Club National High School Defensive Player of the Year … recorded 16.0 sacks in just eight games his senior year in 2021.

Ta'Shawn James / DB / 6-1 / 215 / Iowa State / Oklahoma City, Okla. / Carl Albert HS
Two-year letterwinner at Iowa State (2023-25) … has two years of eligibility remaining … played four games in his true freshman season in 2023, earning a redshirt … has played in 26 games, making eight starts … saw action in eight games, including six starts, before suffering a season-ending injury in 2025 … has totaled 79 tackles (45-34-79), six passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in his career.

Wayne Knight / RB / 5-6 / 189 / James Madison / Smyrna, Del. / Smyrna HS
Three-year letterwinner at James Madison (2022-25) … has one year of eligibility remaining … redshirted his sophomore season in 2023 after playing just four games … has played in 39 games, making 16 starts … has totaled 1,837 rushing yards on 293 carries and 11 touchdowns … has totaled 608 receiving yards on 61 catches and three touchdowns … 2025 Paul Hornung Award Finalist … 2025 Associated Press Second Team All-American as an all-purpose player … 2025 All-Sun Belt First Team honoree … 2025 Sun Belt Conference Rushing Champion with 1,373 yards … set the James Madison single-season record and led the entire FBS with 2,039 all-purpose yards in 2025 … ranked fifth in the FBS with 6.63 yards per carry and seventh with 1,3737 rushing yards … posted five 100-yard rushing performances and six games with at least 150 all-purpose yards in 2025 … topped 200 yards rushing for the first time in his career with 212 in the Sun Belt Championship versus Troy, which set a title game record (Dec. 5, 2025).

Dylan Lee / RB / 6-1 / 215 / Iowa State / Gilbert, Ariz. / Williams Field HS
One-year letterwinner at Iowa State (2024-25) … played in two games in his true freshman season in 2024, earning a redshirt … has three years of remaining eligibility … has played in 13 career games … played 11 games last season, rushing 25 times for 117 yards and a touchdown … posted a career-high 13 carries for 81 yards and a TD against South Dakota (Aug. 30, 2025) … consensus three-star recruit out of high school … ranked as the No. 65 running back in his class by ESPN … totaled 3,594 rushing yards in his final two seasons at Williams Field High School … led Arizona Class 6A in rush yards (2,012) and touchdowns (27) in 2023 … broke the Arizona High School Class 6A single-game rushing record with 518 yards on 27 carries in a 49-27 victory over Scottsdale Chaparral during the 2022 season.

Dante Lovett / DB / 6-0 / 190 / Virginia Tech / Crofton, Md. / DeMatha Catholic HS
Two-year letterwinner at Virginia Tech (2023-25) … has two years of eligibility remaining … redshirted his junior season in 2025 after playing just three games … has played in 29 games, making two starts (both in his sophomore season in 2024) … has totaled 36 tackles (22-14-36), 0.5 tackles for loss, one interception, seven pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

Ryan McCulloch / EDGE/LB / 6-3 / 255 / California / Arcadia, Calif. / Rio Hondo Preparatory School
Two-year letterwinner at California (2023-24) … possesses two years of remaining eligibility after redshirting the 2025 season … played in 26 games over his three-year Golden Bear career … was mentored by new UCLA linebackers coach Vic So'oto … has totaled 38 tackles (19-19-38), 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery … as a sophomore in 2024, tallied career-highs in tackles (18), tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (3.0) … listed as a consensus three-star recruit out of high school … earned Gold Coast League Defensive MVP, All-CIF-SS First Team and All-Gold Coast honors as a senior in 2022 … three-sport prep athlete, participating on Rio Hondo's basketball and baseball teams.

Aiden Mizell / WR / 6-1 ½ / 185 / Florida / Orlando, Fla. / Boone HS
Two-year letterwinner at Florida (2023-25) … possesses two years of remaining eligibility … earned a redshirt for the 2023 season after appearing in two games … has played in 21 games, making seven starts … has totaled 404 receiving yards on 38 catches, including three touchdowns, over his career … recorded 177 receiving yards on 19 catches, including one touchdown, as a redshirt junior in 2025 … finished with 202 receiving yards on 17 catches and two touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2024 … was a consensus four-star recruit out of Boone High School in Orlando, Fla. … ranked as the No. 70 player overall, No. 11 wide receiver and No. 16 Floridian in his class by On3 … compiled 47 receptions for 1,003 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior in 2021 … also a track star, competing in the Florida High School Athletic Association state finals in the 400m and 100m.

Semaj Morgan / WR / 5-10 / 174 / Michigan / Detroit, Mich. / West Bloomfield HS
Three-year letterwinner at Michigan (2023-25) … possesses one year of remaining eligibility … has played in 37 games, making seven starts at wide receiver … also contributed as a returner throughout his career … two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection as a return specialist (2023 and 2024) … has totaled 566 receiving yards on 69 catches, including four touchdowns, in his career … has returned 25 punts for an average of 9.2 yards per return … has returned 12 kicks for 186 yards for an average of 15.5 yards per return (all during his freshman season) … helped Michigan win the 2023 National Championship.

Joshua Phifer / TE / 6-5 / 258 / James Madison / Peachtree City, Ga. / Starr's Mill HS
Two-year letterwinner at James Madison (2023-25) … possesses two years of remaining eligibility … redshirted his true freshman season in 2023 … has played in 27 career games and made three starts, all coming in his redshirt freshman season in 2024 … has totaled 81 receiving yards on six catches, including two touchdowns … recorded 40 receiving yards on four catches in his redshirt sophomore season in 2025 … caught a 37-yard touchdown pass on his first career reception at App State on Nov. 23, 2024 … played in four regular-season games and the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl as a true freshman, but did not record any statistics … as a senior at Starr's Mill High School (Fayetteville, Ga.) in 2022, was named All-Southside Metro tight end by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and All-State tight end by the Georgia High School Athletic Association … was a regional champion and state qualifier in discus.

JD Rayner / OL / 6-4 / 277 / James Madison / Canton, Mass. / Catholic Memorial HS
Played in one game (season opener versus Weber State) during his true freshman season at James Madison (2025) … possesses four years of remaining eligibility … three-year starter on the offensive line at Catholic Memorial High School (West Roxbury, Mass.) … started every game at right tackle his senior year at Catholic Memorial … three-star recruit out of high school, according to 247Sports and Rivals … ranked as the 162nd offensive tackle prospect in the country and 14th overall from Massachusetts by 247Sports … New England Football Journal Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) All-State First Team as a senior and Honorable Mention as a junior … also played defensive tackle and tight end … led Catholic Memorial to MIAA Division 2 state championships in 2024, 2022 and 2021 … had a 44-4 career record with Catholic Memorial.

Riley Robell / OL / 6-2 / 290 / James Madison / Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt HS
Two-year letterwinner at James Madison (2023-25) … possesses two years of remaining eligibility … redshirted his true freshman season in 2023 … ranked as the No. 7 interior offensive lineman and 149th overall in the 2026 transfer portal class by 247Sports … has played in 19 career games, making 11 starts at right guard in 2025 and one start at left guard in 2024 … named an All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team selection in 2025 … helped James Madison rank 11th in FBS in scoring with 37.1 points per game and 17th with 452.6 total yards per game … blocked for Sun Belt Player of the Year quarterback Alonza Barnett III and Paul Hornung Award Finalist running back Wayne Knight … named to the Class 4A All-State First Team by the Pennsylvania Football Writers Association as a defensive lineman his senior year in 2022 … named the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year by the Mid Penn Keystone Conference … named to the All-Mid Penn Keystone Conference First Team three times in 2022, 2021 and 2020 … helped Bishop McDevitt win the 2022 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state championship and place runner-up in 2021 … ranked as the top defensive tackle in the Pennsylvania Class 4A … dual-sport athlete that was a state wrestling champion, reaching 100-plus career wins.

Hall Schmidt / OL / 6-7 / 310 / Boise State / Gig Harbor, Wash. / Peninsula HS
Three-year letterwinner at Boise State (2022-25) … has played in 16 games, making 12 starts at right tackle (all in 2024) … blocked for Heisman Award runner-up running back Ashton Jeanty in 2024 … the Broncos rushed for 3,365 yards in 2024, most in Boise State's FBS history … allowed one sack in 329 opportunities in 2024 … was a three-star recruit out of high school, according to 247Sports and ESPN … named the 3A South Sound Conference Lineman of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

Leland Smith / WR / 6-4 / 215 / San Jose State / Houston, Texas / Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Lettered one year each at San Jose State (2025), Purdue (2024) and Fullerton College (2023) … possesses one year of remaining eligibility … has played in 24 games at the FBS level … earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in 2025 … recorded career highs with 43 receptions, 688 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2025 … his 688 receiving yards were eighth-most in the Mountain West … posted four 100-yard receiving performances, including a career-high 144 on nine catches against Air Force (Nov. 8) … appeared in all 12 games while attending Purdue in 2024, recording six catches, 72 yards and two touchdowns … played nine games at Fullerton College in 2023, recording 26 catches for 655 yards and nine touchdowns.

Carter Sweazie / OL / 6-1 / 327 / James Madison / Ashburn, Va. / Stone Bridge HS
Three-year letterwinner at James Madison (2022-25) … earned a redshirt during his true freshman season in 2022 … has one year of eligibility remaining … earned All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team honors in 2025 … has played in 34 games, making 23 starts (all at left guard) … started all 14 games in 2025 at left guard … helped James Madison rank 11th in FBS in scoring with 37.1 points per game and 17th with 452.6 total yards per game … blocked for Sun Belt Player of the Year quarterback Alonza Barnett III and Paul Hornung Award Finalist running back Wayne Knight.

Sahir West / DL / 6-3 / 269 / James Madison / Baltimore, Md. / Mount St. Joseph HS
One-year letterwinner in his true freshman season at James Madison (2025) … started all 14 games at defensive end … named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year … named a Freshman All-American by The Athletic … ranked second among all freshmen in the FBS and fifth overall in the Sun Belt with 7.0 sacks … totaled 45 tackles (16-29-45), 14.0 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and four pass breakups … set the Sun Belt title game record with 5.5 sacks and 3.0 sacks, in addition to recording a forced fumble, against Troy (Dec. 5, 2025).

2026 UCLA Football Transfer Portal Signees

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Previous School (Hometown)
Stevie Amar Jr.	TE	6-2	228	Boston College (Oxnard, Calif.)
DJ Barksdale	DB	5-7	180	James Madison (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Chase Barry	P	6-4	205	Oklahoma State (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Gavin Blum	DL	6-3	280	Saddleback College (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Darold DeNgohe	DL	6-2	298	Rutgers (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Landon Ellis	WR	6-1	212	James Madison (Orange, Va.)
Aiden Gobaira	DL	6-4	254	James Madison (Fairfax, Va.)
Ta'Shawn James	DB	6-1	215	Iowa State (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Wayne Knight	RB	5-6	189	James Madison (Smyrna, Del.)
Dylan Lee	RB	6-1	215	Iowa State (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Dante Lovett	DB	6-0	190	Virginia Tech (Crofton, Md.)
Ryan McCulloch	LB	6-3	255	California (Arcadia, Calif.)
Aiden Mizell	WR	6-1 ½	185	Florida (Orlando, Fla.)
Semaj Morgan	WR	5-10	174	Michigan (Detroit, Mich.)
Joshua Phifer	TE	6-5	258	James Madison (Peachtree City, Ga.)
JD Rayner	OL	6-4	277	James Madison (Canton, Mass.)
Riley Robell	OL	6-2	290	James Madison (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Hall Schmidt	OL	6-7	310	Boise State (Gig Harbor, Wash.)
Leland Smith	WR	6-4	215	San Jose State (Houston, Texas)
Carter Sweazie	OL	6-1	327	James Madison (Ashburn, Va.)
Sahir West	DL	6-3	269	James Madison (Baltimore, Md.)

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