Which UCLA Football Position Battle Could Trigger Transfer Portal Movement

UCLA fall camp has provided plenty of position battles over the course of the last few weeks. Although Bob Chesney and the Bruins staff have yet to announce any winner of those battles, it’s interesting to wonder who’s currently on the outside.

A better investigation is to look at who could potentially head towards the transfer portal if things don’t particularly go their way at UCLA.

RB on the Outside

Nov 22, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Anthony Woods (6) is brought down by Washington Huskies linebacker Deven Bryant (17) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

We’ve talked plenty about just how incredible this UCLA running back room is. There’s a ton of talent in the department, but the reality is that there are only so many snaps to go around.

Better yet, there are only so many red zone snaps to go around. Chesney will be forced to divide the snap count among these guys, and some of them may not like the portion they’re given. While the better choice would almost certainly be to continue working hard and wait until your time comes, that seems rare in today’s college sports.

Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Jaivian Thomas (21) runs the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Whichever running back down the depth chart doesn’t see the field, or a path to the field, could force some movement via the portal.

Jul 29, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Football head coach Bob Chesney speaks during Big Ten Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Freshmen

It doesn’t look very promising if you’re hoping to see a lot of young talent from this UCLA roster this season.

Out of the UCLA recruiting class, we can probably expect very few to ever even see the field at all this season, let alone during meaningful snaps. While there’s certainly talent coming in from the freshman class, it’s simply not their time yet.

May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Bob Chesney reacts during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With so many upperclassmen and transfer players from James Madison, it's very tough to give any of the young guys playing time. If any were under the impression they’d see the field in year one and they don’t, I would expect the transfer portal to get busy.

Backup Quarterback

Still no word on who will take the official snaps under Nico Iamaleava yet. The harsh reality is that whoever ends up as the third string will have a pretty tough time seeing the field in any capacity and may require a transfer to really get to play.

Sep 6, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cal Poly Mustangs quarterback Ty Dieffenbach (7) avoids a tackle by Utah Utes defensive end John Henry Daley (90) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The coaching staff has been noncommittal up to this point about who the backup will be, but we can likely expect to have a name before the Cal game in Week One.

It’s getting closer to the beginning of the college football season, and it’s probably the most exciting one in Westwood in a long time.

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