This post was updated Feb. 3 at 9:50 p.m.

Football games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Representing the first point of contact, having a plethora of capable linemen is imperative for building a winning program.

And entering his first season in Westwood, UCLA football coach Bob Chesney brought in seven players via the transfer portal to bolster a defensive line capable of wrecking opposing offenses in 2026.

Sahir West
Former school: James Madison

When Chesney was announced as UCLA’s new head man, questions circulated about how many of his former JMU players would come to UCLA.

Among these Dukes-turned-Bruins is reigning Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and Athletic First Team Freshman All-American edge rusher Sahir West. The commitment marked a massive addition for Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler’s quest to build a formidable front-seven unit.

The redshirt freshman, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 270 pounds, registered seven sacks and 14 tackles-for-loss in his breakout 2025 campaign. West has built his body up to NFL size while still maintaining his explosiveness and quickness, despite gaining 60 pounds since high school.

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With his larger build, West’s first step allows him to shift rush tempos and moves, challenging the set timing of opposing offensive linemen, especially when rushing from a blindside five-technique outside the tackle.

In this clip, West uses his athleticism to beat the left tackle off the snap before powering through the running back’s block, leading to the strip sack touchdown.

His relentless quarterback pursuit and high motor in the pass rush will be a crucial piece for a Bruin defense that ranked last in the nation with 10 sacks last year.

Two seasons of scheme familiarity with Hitschler should allow West to make an immediate impact in his first season as a Bruin against Big Ten competition. His rare combination of athleticism and raw power makes him an unpredictable and difficult threat for opponents to scheme against.

Aiden Gobaira
Former school: James Madison

Redshirt junior defensive lineman Aiden Gobaira will also suit up for the Bruins, following three years at Notre Dame and one at James Madison.

The Fairfax, Virginia, local registered 38 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks en route to a Third Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2025.

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This clip demonstrates Gobaira’s ability to leverage his longer 6-foot-5 frame, allowing him to generate power against interior offensive linemen. Slanting from an outside alignment, Gobaira bull rushes the guard to generate pocket pressure, forcing the quarterback to step up into a sack.

Gobaira’s build allows him to play from a variety of alignments and influence opposing offenses in both running and passing situations. His high motor in one-on-one block defeat should translate well against Big Ten competition as Gobaira continues to develop this offseason.

Despite only one season of experience due to extensive injury history, Gobaira has all the tools to build upon his breakout 2025 campaign.

Ryan McCulloch
Former school: California

The first arrival in Chesney’s transfer portal class, junior edge Ryan McCulloch will join the Bruins’ reloaded outside linebacker room for the 2026 campaign.

Registering 39 tackles and five sacks across three seasons at Cal, McCulloch’s 2025 campaign was cut short by an injury that sidelined him for the final nine games of the Golden Bears’ season.

However, in his first four games last season, McCulloch flashed his athleticism and playmaking ability. Logging 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks, McCulloch’s limited sample size is incredibly promising for a Bruins squad that lacked significant edge depth in 2025.

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In the clip above against Oregon State, McCulloch does a good job of following the ball during the reverse and closing space to make the tackle-for-loss against an opposing receiver.

With his raw athleticism, McCulloch represents a high-upside piece of Chesney’s defensive rebuild, primed for the breakout campaign he was deprived of in 2025.

Amier Washington
Former school: Texas Tech

Sophomore edge Amier Washington comes to Westwood after three seasons at Texas Tech to compete for playing time in a deep defensive end room that features a loaded transfer class and several returning veterans.

Washington garnered just 21 tackles across his career in Lubbock, starting thrice at the edge. The bulk of his production took place in 2024 when he appeared in 12 games and recorded 16 quarterback pressures, leading all Red Raider edge defenders.

At 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, he is most likely going to be a rotational five-technique on the defensive line for the Bruins next season. He has the ability to go to a tighter alignment inside the tackle, but his playing style tailors more toward the defensive edge position.

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In this clip from the 2023 Independence Bowl against Cal, Washington slants inside before using a power move to neutralize the center’s block and sack the quarterback. Washington was able to create significant havoc, breaking down the offensive line’s protection assignments with both quickness and power.

While his production has progressively slowed, Washington brings a tremendous amount of potential to the Bruin defense. Washington could see snaps as a rotational edge or extra rusher on certain personnel packages.

Maxwell Roy
Former school: Ohio State

Freshman defensive tackle Maxwell Roy will continue his development in Westwood following one season at Ohio State.

The former four-star in the 2025 recruiting class has the potential to see the field early in Westwood as a valuable replacement for outgoing redshirt senior defensive tackle Keanu Williams and Penn State transfer Siale Taupaki.

At 6-foot-3 and 301 pounds, Roy has the ideal frame for a Big Ten defensive tackle. Despite not playing in 2025, Roy’s athleticism and power, demonstrated in his high school highlights, should continue to improve as his career progresses.

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Roy’s ability to shed blocks and disrupt the run game that he displayed in high school should continue to improve under the guidance of new defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa. Roy’s size makes his ideal alignment either a tight one technique or a three technique, a position where he is likely to face numerous double teams.

Roy is a high-ceiling prospect who could quickly make his Bruin debut and continue to flourish with proper training and development in his pass-rushing game.

Tyson Ford
Former school: California

Another complement to the depth of the Bruins’ defensive end room, redshirt sophomore Tyson Ford heads to Westwood after stops at both Notre Dame and Cal. A former four-star recruit and No. 24-ranked defensive lineman in the class of 2022, Ford logged three solo tackles in 2025 across seven appearances.

Ford is on the bigger side for a defensive end – standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 300 pounds – which could allow for some position versatility, especially with the plethora of edge talent on the Bruins roster in 2026. With his size, he could play an inside alignment to improve depth on the interior or play as a hand-down edge.

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In this clip, Ford plays a tight five technique and does a good job of locating and slowing down the running back, allowing his teammates to assist with limiting the gain.

Despite lower production at his first two schools, Ford’s projectable frame will provide Hitschler and Suiaunoa with a solid piece that could rotate in at multiple positions on the defensive front.

Darold DeNgohe
Former school: Rutgers

Another defensive tackle from a conference rival, junior Darold DeNgohe comes to UCLA after two seasons at James Madison and one at Rutgers. The majority of DeNgohe’s production came as a Duke in 2024, where he registered 28 tackles and six tackles-for-loss, after participating in just four games for the Scarlet Knights this past season.

At 6-foot-2 and 298 pounds, he is most successful when occupying blockers, allowing second-level players to have clear lanes. Familiarity with Chesney from his time at James Madison should also benefit DeNgohe as he competes with a younger core of players next season.

He is most likely to see the field as a rotational defensive tackle for the Bruins in 2026, providing a veteran presence to a room primarily featuring younger players. Playing as a three technique would put DeNgohe in the best position to be successful this season in Westwood.