Buy or Sell: Evaluating Wayne Knight's Hype With UCLA Football

Wayne Knight arrives at UCLA with impressive numbers and a familiar coaching staff, but can he really transform the Bruins’ struggling run game?

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) rushes during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Among all of the new faces at camp this season for UCLA, perhaps none of them is more crucial than one. Last season, UCLA's run game was essentially nonexistent. 

505 yards meant you were the leading rusher on that 2025 Bruins team, and that stat belonged to quarterback Nico Iamaleava. This season, one transfer from James Madison following Bob Chesney should change that.

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) rushes as Oregon Ducks defensive back Aaron Flowers (21) defends during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wayne Knight is the latest UCLA Bruin who could shape the entire season, and he is very much worth the hype. Of all the players on the UCLA roster, he is one of the few whose talent justifies all the buzz.

Knight’s Stats at James Madison

In 2025 at James Madison, Knight logged 1,373 rushing yards on 207 carries for an average of 6.6 yards per carry. You add that in with his total of 10 touchdowns, and you get a very productive back that will open up the Bruins' run game significantly. 

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) rushes during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As I have mentioned, last season, defenses played UCLA the same way. They easily shut down the run game, which, in turn, put far too much pressure on Iamaleava, causing his passing game to crumble. Under 2,000 passing yards is not something to turn heads, and the absence of UCLA’s run game forced that number to suffer. 

Now, with Wayne Knight, who will compete for the starting role alongside veteran Bruins such as Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas, but I feel confident that the majority of snaps will be heading Knight’s way. 

Buy or Sell?

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) rushes during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype around players such as Knight. He’s coming to a Big Ten school with a major jump in talent, right? But is he?

I feel confident that not only James Madison, but a handful of Sun Belt schools, could have and would have beaten UCLA last season, so it’s interesting to see that as such a defining argument. 

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) rushes as Oregon Ducks defensive back Aaron Flowers (21) defends during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Talent jump or not, Knight is the real deal. He’ll be able to compete with the defenses on the schedule, and paired up with his former head coach and his offensive coordinator is a blessing that should not be overlooked. 

Buy all the stock you can get in Wayne Knight, because it should be going fast. He has all the tools he needs to make that conference jump and still be able to hit the ground running right from the jump in Week 1.