Coaching has been at every step of Bob Chesney’s path to Westwood. In high school, his father led as his head football coach, his grandfather served as the offensive line coach, and his uncle joined the family operation as the wide receivers coach.
For Chesney, it’s time to take some tips from his grandfather, as the renovation project of the Bruins’ offense might most impact on the trenches on both sides of the ball. Later in this series of articles, the defensive linemen will have their turn (for whom Chesney’s father, Robert Chesney Jr., has helped as a volunteer coach at Bob Chesney’s last few stops), but the offensive linemen might be where UCLA wins or loses within the Big Ten.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran for his life from the get-go of the 2025 season, swerving his way for big gains by using his legs instead of receiving the time to sit in the pocket and make plays happen with the passing game. As the season trailed on, then-offensive line coach Andy Kwon helped to stabilize the group.
But it was clear; the Bruins needed a refresh. And Bob Chesney, along with offensive line coach and running game coordinator Chris Smith (also from James Madison), will have their opportunity to set a Big Ten pulse through the five up front.
UCLA will primarily have new faces competing for starting positions on the offensive line in 2026, but the Bruins did return arguably their most consistent lineman to the group. Soon-to-be redshirt sophomore Eugene Brooks will slot in at left guard once again.
Indiana might have been the best team in the country during the regular season – and postseason – but even a naked eye could notice Brooks’ absence during UCLA’s 50-point defeat in Bloomington.
For the Bruins, Brooks could be the stabilizer, even with new faces around him.
As the first transfer portal window has wrapped – although exceptions are always possible – here’s a full breakdown of the movement within UCLA’s offensive linemen entering spring, the third in a six-part series examining the post-portal scholarship outlook for every part of the roster. Previously, the quarterbacks and the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
Offensive line
Returning: Jensen Somerville, R-Soph.; Eugene Brooks, R-Soph.; Nehemiah Johnson, R-Fr.; Sam Yoon, R-Sr.; Julian Armella, R-Sr.; Caleb Walker, R-Sr.; KD Arnold, R-Jr.
Arriving: Jordan Davis, R-Sr. (transfer, South Alabama); Mack Indestad, R-Sr. (transfer, Eastern Michigan); JD Rayner, R-Fr. (transfer, James Madison); Sean Na’a, R-Jr. (transfer, Arizona State); Derek Osman, R-Sr. (transfer, Harvard); Riley Robell, R-Jr. (transfer, James Madison); Carter Sweazie, R-Sr. (transfer, James Madison); Hall Schmidt, R-Sr. (transfer, Boise State); Michael McDonald, R-Soph. (Fullerton College); Michael Price, Fr. (Huntsville High, Huntsville, Ala.); Cooper Javorsky Fr (San Juan Hills High); Quinn Buckey Fr (Liberty High, Bakersfield).
Departing: Garrett DiGiorgio (exhausted eligibility); Jaylan Jeffers (exhausted eligibility); Garrison Blank (transfer, undecided); Yutaka Mahe (exhausted eligibility); Noah Pulealii (exhausted eligibility); Oluwafunto Akinshilo (exhausted eligibility); Reuben Unije (exhausted eligibility); Tautai Li’o Marks (exhausted eligibility); Connor Clyde (exhausted eligibility); Courtland Ford (exhausted eligibility).
Is Sam Yoon the fit at center?
Yoon was one of two starting offensive linemen to return to the fold for the 2025 season, slotting in at center after a fierce preseason battle with Akinshilo. But with Iamaleava struggling with protection issues last season, and the longtime Bruin’s lack of velocity on his snaps, Chesney could look at the other options along the line.
Na’a appears to be a fit at the position, potentially, having played in 25 career games in the Big 12 and old Pac-12 combined. Osman and Robell also fit the bill should the team search outside of Yoon for their center.
Can the James Madison linemen take the jump?
As with many of UCLA’s position groups, there are a significant number of former Dukes joining Chesney at UCLA. Rayner, Robell and Sweazie are the trio of JMU linemen (so far) making the trek to Westwood.
Rayner remains a developmental piece in all likelihood, but Robell and Sweazie’s transition will be a storyline to keep an eye on during spring camp.