The transfer portal officially closed Jan. 16, and 41 players have committed to UCLA football, while 24 have officially departed the program after a 3-9 season riddled with coaching departures. Now that the portal is officially closed, Daily Bruin Sports editor Connor Dullinger will review the new defensive faces that entered Westwood ahead of the 2026 campaign.

[Related: UCLA football faces come and go in transfer portal trade-off]

[Related: UCLA football’s transfer picks look to strengthen offense]

[Related: UCLA football strengthens defense in third transfer portal update]

[Related: UCLA football’s new roster continues to take shape in 4th transfer portal update]

[Related: Recapping UCLA football’s offensive transfers as the portal closes]

Defense:

Cornerbacks:

DJ Barksdale, CB, 5’9”, 181 lbs., James Madison
2025 stats: 36 total tackles, 12 passes defended, two interceptions

Head coach Bob Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler wasted no time in fortifying what is probably the strongest unit on the Bruin roster. Hitschler specializes in developing premier defensive back talent and brings Barksdale along with him from Harrisburg, Virginia, where the defensive back earned Third Team All-Sun Belt honors. Barksdale played both nickel and outside corner for the Dukes, and that versatility will likely give him plenty of game action at either spot come 2026. While the presence of redshirt sophomores Rodrick Pleasant, Cole Martin and junior Scooter Jackson makes the room crowded, Barksdale boasts too good a resume to just sit on the sideline.

Dante Lovett, CB, 6’0”, 200 lbs., Virginia Tech
2025 stats: Two games played, six tackles

While Lovett played just two games in 2025 due to injury, he played in 15 games across the two previous seasons and boasts versatility and veteran experience that could be used on the backside of Hitschler’s defensive unit. His size, age and experience at the Power Four-level make him the most likely candidate for the starting outside corner spot opposite Pleasant, but regardless of whether Lovett starts or not, he will be a solid rotational piece in 2026.

Osiris Gilbert, CB, 5’9”, 175 lbs., UConn
2025 stats: 18 total tackles, three passes defended, one forced fumble

Chesney and the recruiting staff made a concerted effort to rebuild the roster to compete in 2026. But that didn’t mean he forgot to think about the future. Gilbert comes to UCLA having played just one season at UConn, where he competed in eight games and registered a turnover and three pass deflections as a true freshman. His size and frame make him most suited for nickel corner, but with Barksdale and Jackson competing for the starting spot Osiris will likely have to wait to earn consistent playing time until 2027.

Jhase McMillan, CB, 5’9”, 157 lbs., Montana State
2025 stats: Six games played, one fumble recovery

McMillan, similar to Gilbert, played in several games his true freshman season – but for McMillan, it came mostly on special teams. And like Gilbert, McMillan’s size makes him most suited for nickel corner, where he will compete with Gilbert for special teams snaps and a future hold on the nickel position after Barksdale and Jackson exhaust their eligibilities.

Safeties:

Tao Johnson, S, 6’1”, 193 lbs., Utah
2025 stats: 51 total tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions

Chesney’s secondary additions did not just highlight cornerbacks. He added one of the best strong safeties in the portal to fortify the backside of the defense. Across three seasons at Utah, Johnson garnered 154 total tackles, three passes defended, three interceptions and a forced fumble. His size and speed allow him to play both strong safety and inside cornerback, but considering the presence of both Jackson and Barksdale, he will most likely man the strong safety spot and could even move to free safety. Regardless of where he plays, Johnson is a hard-hitting defensive back who will stifle the run game and fly sideline-to-sideline to prevent intermediate-to-deep pass attempts.

Ta’Shawn James, S, 6’1”, 215 lbs., Iowa State

2025 stats: 33 total tackles, five passes defended

James looks to be the starting free safety come 2026, replacing former Bruin Key Lawrence. While it may be hard to replicate Lawrence’s personality and demeanor, James’ film pops off the screen and could provide an upgrade to the last man of the UCLA secondary. James had consecutive productive seasons at Iowa State, where he garnered a combined 79 total tackles, six passes defended and a forced fumble.

Malik Hartford, S, 6’3”, 200 lbs., Ohio State
2025 stats: Two total tackles

Hartford is an interesting acquisition for the Bruin secondary. UCLA already has a mix of Martin, James and Johnson in the safety department, making it intriguing to see where Hartford’s role fits in the back half of the Bruin defense. Hartford posted 20 tackles and three passes defended with no forced turnovers through three seasons in Columbus. While he could see an increased role and consequently better production on UCLA’s defense, the secondary department is already crowded with players who are familiar with Hitschler’s scheme or who have already proven themselves at UCLA or at the Power Four level. But then again, Hitschler has proven his ability to identify and develop talent, and Hartford was a four-star high school recruit and the No. 4-ranked player out of Ohio in 2022.

Inside linebackers:

Sammy Omosigho, LB, 6’1”, 235 lbs., Oklahoma
2025 stats: 50 total tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery, three passes defended

The Bruins needed to address the inside linebacker room after JonJon Vaughns graduated, and Isaiah Chisom left for Oklahoma State through the transfer portal. And Omosigho was a perfect addition to the heart of UCLA’s defense. He is an athletic phenom who can drop back in pass coverage, but Omosigho will particularly thrive in attacking the run game and can even give opposing quarterbacks nightmares in pass rush.

Anthony Sacca, LB, 6’3”, 240 lbs., Notre Dame
2025 stats: N/A

Sacca was a four-star high school prospect from both ESPN and Rivals, but did not play a single game for the Fighting Irish last season. Sacca may struggle to see time on the field with the presence of Omosigho, Drew Spinogatti and freshman linebacker Scott Taylor, who flashed his skill when given opportunities during his first year at UCLA. However, Sacca has the potential to see an increased role in Hitschler’s defense given his four-star status. Linebacker coach Vic So’oto excels in developing linebacker talent, and Sacca may boast untapped potential.

Drew Spinogatti, LB, 6’1”, 219 lbs., James Madison
2025 stats: 54 total tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, three passes defended

Spinogatti should immediately compete for the other starting inside linebacker spot opposite Omosigho despite his non-Power Four experience. Spinogatti played in all 14 games, making five starts while logging 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and two fumble recoveries through one season at JMU. His performance in Harrisonburg, Virginia after two seasons at Holy Cross warrants confidence that his ability and production could translate to the next level in Westwood.

Defensive lineman:

Sahir West, Edge, 6’4”, 270 lbs., James Madison
2025 stats: 45 total tackles, seven sacks, four passes defended, one fumble recovery

It is hard to have a bad transfer portal window when you get the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. UCLA outcompeted with Ohio State for one of the best edge defenders in the portal, getting a player who garnered seven sacks, which was three less than what the entire Bruin defensive front recorded last season. West is an immediate upgrade to a defensive line that struggled to generate penetration and stop the run in 2025. With West coming off the edge, opposing quarterbacks will have less time for routes to develop, meaning that the rejuvenated Bruin secondary could excel beyond even lofty expectations in 2026.

Ryan McCulloch, Edge, 6’3”, 255 lbs., California
2025 stats: 11 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery

McCulloch consistently struggled with injuries during his time at California, but when he was healthy, he was a proven pass rusher, tallying five sacks through 14 games across the past two seasons. McCulloch followed his position coach, So’oto to Southern California and could excel behind or opposite West on a new-look defensive line in Westwood. The Bruins ranked dead last in the nation for team sacks with just 10 this past season, and they made it a priority to fortify the defensive front, adding pass rushers in West and McCulloch who could give offensive lines problems across the board.

Dallin Havea, Edge, 6’2”, 250 lbs., Utah Tech
2025 stats: One fumble recovery

Havea has played just two games across the past two seasons at Utah Tech and will likely see limited action in Westwood, given the other names brought over to UCLA in the portal. However, Havea still has a few years of eligibility and could develop in Hitschler’s defense if given opportunities.

Aiden Gobaira, DL, 6’5”, 255 lbs., James Madison
2025 stats: 38 total tackles, four sacks

Gobaira excelled behind West at JMU, garnering four sacks and 38 tackles this past season. While Gobaira could replicate that role for UCLA, he may start opposite West in the new Bruin defense. The former Notre Dame defensive lineman has one year of eligibility left and could make it count at UCLA, given that he recorded four sacks on just one start, which helped him earn Third Team All-Sun Belt honors. With most of last season’s defensive line gone, Gobaira could be given the nod to start, where his production could expand from last season. And even if he doesn’t start, he has proven before what he can do behind West.

Amier Washington, DL, 6’2”, 270 lbs., Texas Tech
2025 stats: Seven total tackles

Washington will most likely start along the interior of the Bruins’ defensive line alongside former Buckeye Maxwell Roy. While Washington has struggled to shine across three seasons for the Red Raiders – tallying just 21 total tackles and 3.5 sacks – he could finally find his groove in Westwood, given UCLA’s defensive-line rehaul. His most productive season was in 2023, his true freshman year, when he garnered three sacks and a forced fumble. Washington could replicate that at UCLA with ample opportunities and a line that West, Gobaira and McCulloch bookend.

Maxwell Roy, DL, 6’3”, 301 lbs., Ohio State
2025 stats: N/A

Roy did not play a single game in 2025, but was a four-star high school recruit and the sixth-best player out of Pennsylvania in the 2024 recruiting class. Roy may man the starting defensive tackle spot adjacent to Washington, and while they both lack the portfolio to give UCLA fans confidence in its defensive interior, they possess the skillset, pedigree and frame to excel in an open position room.

Darold DeNgohe, DL, 6’2”, 298 lbs., Rutgers
2025 stats: Eight total tackles

DeNgohe started his collegiate career with Chesney at JMU, where he logged 28 total tackles and a sack before transferring to Rutgers for his sophomore season. DeNgohe struggled in his first season on a Power Four team but could improve with another year under his belt, and he may rotate into the defense’s interior with Roy and Washington.

Tyson Ford, DL, 6’5”, 300 lbs., California
2025 stats: Three total tackles

Ford was a highly touted recruit coming out of John Burroughs High School, ranking as the second-best player from Missouri and No. 24 defensive lineman in the nation. However, he has struggled to produce in college so far, registering just one tackle in 2023 at Notre Dame, missing the entire 2024 campaign due to injury and making just three tackles for Cal this past season. Ford is a high-upside transfer acquisition given his ranking and pedigree, and could rotate into the interior of the defense with Roy, DeNgohe and Washington or could struggle to see action for the fourth consecutive season.