LOS ANGELES — Dead last in tackles for loss and bottom of the barrel in sacks were two truths that UCLA could not escape during the 2025 season. The Bruins were, in no uncertain terms, bad at creating pressure against quarterbacks.
Yes, the Bruins did slightly improve when Kevin Coyle entered alongside interim coach Tim Skipper to call plays on defense after Ikaika Malloe’s departure (UCLA’s former defensive coordinator is now the defensive line coach at Penn State, taking Keanu Williams and Siale Taupaki with him via the transfer portal).
But if new head coach Bob Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler were to target one UCLA position group, the defensive line and edge rush group is probably the best place to start.
Luckily for Chesney and company, they weathered the storm of a recruiting trail to try to swoop in for James Madison’s star edge rusher Sahir West – and landed his commitment. The Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year potentially has the tools to revitalize UCLA’s pass rush and turn a sore spot into a glimmer of hope in the Big Ten.
Chesney brought in his former defensive line coach at JMU, Sam Daniels, to coach defensive ends at UCLA. While he also recognized the need for a West Coast voice – a potential link to the Polynesian community in the region – by bringing in Legi Suiaunoa from Michigan State to guide the defensive line.
As the first transfer portal window has wrapped – although exceptions are always possible – here’s a full breakdown of the movement within UCLA’s defensive linemen entering spring, the fourth in a seven-part series examining the post-portal scholarship outlook for every part of the roster. Previously, we looked at the quarterbacks, the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, and the offensive linemen.
Defensive line
Returning: Ashton Sanders, R-Jr.; A.J. Fuimaono, R-Jr.; Tyler Partlow, R-Fr.; Robert James III, R-Fr.
Arriving: Tyson Ford, R-Jr. (transfer, Cal); Darold DeNgohe, R-Jr. (transfer, Rutgers); Maxwell Roy, R-Fr. (transfer, Ohio State); Amier Washington, R-Jr. (transfer, Texas Tech); Gavin Blum, R-Fr. (Saddleback College); Marcus Almada, Fr. (Tabor Academy, Marion, Mass.).
Departing: Keanu Williams (transfer, Penn State); Siale Taupaki (transfer, Penn State); Jalen Hargrove (exhausted eligibility).
Defensive ends/edge rushers
Returning: Scott Taylor, Soph.; Cole Cogshell, R-Fr.; JuJu Walls, Soph.; Lucien Holland, R-Fr.
Arriving: Sahir West, R-Soph. (transfer, James Madison); Dallin Havea, R-Soph. (transfer, Utah Tech); Aiden Gobaira, R-Sr. (transfer, James Madison); Ryan McCulloch, R-Jr. (transfer, Cal); James Moffat, Fr. (Crespi HS).
Departing: Anthony Jones (transfer, Nebraska); Devin Aupiu (exhausted eligibility); Nico Davillier (exhausted eligibility); Kechaun Bennett (exhausted eligibility); Jacob Busic (exhausted eligibility).
How can Sahir West change UCLA’s defensive dynamics?
Explosive. Shifty. Quick. All three adjectives were ways that television broadcasts described West during James Madison’s late-season games during the 2026 season.
Taking a look at his output, however, it is clear to see how the Bruins can improve from their aforementioned woes in the pass rush.
UCLA had 10 sacks, dead last in the FBS. Sahir West had seven sacks alone.
UCLA had 40 tackles for loss, dead last in the FBS. West had 14 TFLs alone.
Of course, there could be an adjustment period for West ahead; the talent level in the Big Ten will be far higher than the redshirt sophomore faced in 2025. It will be up to the Bruins’ new coaching staff to unlock West’s star potential on a grander stage.
Can returning Bruins find their spots among Chesney’s crew?
Taylor, Walls and Cogshell turned into actual options among the Bruins’ edge rushers once the midseason coaching switch occurred. And so far, all three remain at UCLA.
Taylor likely has the highest ceiling of the group, the Loyola High graduate who admired Anthony Barr gaining playing time across the 2025 season. He even spoke to the media after Chesney’s introductory press conference.
All three have potential and would have likely played on last year’s James Madison squad. But with the talent level rising on UCLA’s roster, only time will tell how the trio evolves going forward.
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