Linebackers that boast the ability to both play the run while also maintaining coverage responsibilities in the passing game can be the difference between victory and defeat.

But finding skilled players equipped with the specific blend of athletic ability to effectively occupy the linebacker position at the Division I level can be a coaching staff challenge.

In UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney’s first year at the helm, the Bruins recruited three linebackers from the transfer portal with significant experience and game-breaking ability. Working under new Bruins linebacker coach Vic So’oto, the new additions will round out a rebuilt front seven.

Sammy Omosigho
Previous School: Oklahoma

Ranking at the top of the Bruins’ new transfer class, junior linebacker Sammy Omosigho heads to Westwood following three seasons at Oklahoma. Omosigho – a four-star transfer with a composite ranking of 91 per 247Sports – is likely to occupy the Mike linebacker position.

Omosigho appeared in all 13 contests for the Sooners last year in a rotational role, logging 50 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups in 2025. Standing at 6 feet 1inch and weighing 235 lbs, his frame, alongside his raw athleticism and power, equips Omosigho with positional versatility as he transitions to the Big Ten in 2026.

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Playing as a force from multiple alignments, Omosigho effectively uses his power to shed blocks from both offensive linemen and skill players to make plays in the box and backfield.

One example is demonstrated in the clip above, where Omosigho powers through a block from the Michigan running back to create pressure on the quarterback, leading to a sack.

Despite his likely use at a five-yard deep alignment with the Bruins, Sooners head coach Brent Venables would also bring Omosigho up onto the line of scrimmage as an extra pass rusher from a five-technique. This allowed Omosigho to use his power moves effectively to shrink the pocket for opposing rushers.

Omosigho also started three games at the “cheetah” position in Venables’ defense in 2024, a hybrid position that combined elements of a classic nickel defense with a larger, agile – player that could occupy both linebacker and defensive back responsibilities.

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The clip above shows Omosigho rotating into the box late, sending a fourth rusher to the line of scrimmage with two linebackers playing behind. As the play develops, Omosigho dashes on a delayed blitz and does a good job of maintaining leverage against an athletic quarterback in space, leading to a sack.

Omosigho’s versatility to occupy a wide range of positions on the football field and a high motor will allow new Bruins defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler to put together unique blitz concepts and personnel with the linebacker to keep opposing offensive units guessing.

Anthony Sacca
Previous School: Notre Dame

After one season in South Bend, freshman linebacker Anthony Sacca joins the Bruins in 2026 for his second season of college football. Continuing his development under So’oto, the Delran, New Jersey, local could become a rotational linebacker for UCLA in 2026.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2025, Sacca committed to the Irish over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Sacca boasts the physical tools to wreak havoc on opposing offenses in the run and passing games.

Sacca was a former safety who converted to linebacker during his junior year at St. Joseph’s Prep. The transition allowed Sacca to be both an effective run stopper while also dropping into coverage with speedier skill players.

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Watching the film on Sacca reveals a high-ceiling prospect that will continue to improve as his collegiate career continues. Utilizing his long strides, Sacca closes space extremely effectively against ball carriers while also using his power to deliver effective hits all across the field.

He also excels as a blitzer, with his high motor rushing reads for quarterbacks, leading to sacks and turnovers.

Expect Sacca to be in the mix to see the field early this year, especially with the departures of leading tackler Isaiah Chisom, who transferred to Oklahoma State, and JonJon Vaughns, who exhausted his eligibility. This addition for the Bruins gives them tremendous upside, with Chesney and So’oto landing a highly projectable linebacker that could help replenish the defensive front’s depth.

Drew Spinogatti
Previous School: James Madison

One of 10 former Dukes joining his former head coach in Westwood, senior linebacker Drew Spinogatti joins the Bruins after spending a year in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with Chesney in 2025.

Spinogatti logged 55 tackles – 7.5 of which were for a loss – in 14 appearances in a rotational role for JMU in 2025.

His most productive contest came against Washington State on Nov. 22, when Spinogatti registered a career-high 16 tackles. The Winter Garden, Florida, local, also broke up two passes in the win.

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Spinogatti’s film demonstrates a linebacker with good spatial awareness and football sense. The clip above from his career day against the Cougars demonstrates these traits as Spinogatti follows the quarterback’s eyes and closes space effectively with the receiver to break up the short pass.

Against the run, Spinogatti is able to effectively defeat blocks at the second level and make plays on the ball. He plays an assignment-sound brand of football that limits explosive plays from opposing offenses.

Expect Spinogatti to be in the mix to see serious field time as part of this rebuilt UCLA defense in 2026. His playmaking ability and experience at the Division I level will make the junior likely to play as either a weak- or strong-side linebacker in Hitschler’s scheme. He could also be used in certain personnel as an extra rusher in certain speed packages.

Spinogatti’s ability to play productive football in Hitschler’s defense in 2025 should continue when he suits up in the blue and gold this fall.