Few positions are more under-appreciated than tight end.

Occupying responsibilities in the run, pass and protection scheme, a complement of effective tight ends can elevate an offense.

UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney brought in four tight ends to compete for playing time and develop under position coach Drew Canan ahead of the 2026 offseason. All bringing a unique skillset to the table, these additions will reinforce a tight ends room that lost both of its leading producers this offseason.

Josh Phifer
Former School: James Madison

Heading to Westwood after three seasons at JMU, redshirt sophomore tight end Josh Phifer will join the Bruins in 2026. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 259 pounds, Phifer possesses the physical tools to assist in the run scheme for offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy.

Phifer occupied a rotational role in his three seasons with the Dukes, logging just 81 receiving yards and two touchdowns during his career.

In this game against Texas State, Phifer does a good job of finding space on a route over the middle before high-pointing the football in the end zone. Using his larger frame, Phifer is able to bring the pass down and secure possession through contact.

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Phifer enters a tight end room that lost a significant amount of depth following the 2025 campaign due to the departures of Hudson Habermehl, who exhausted his eligibility, and redshirt junior Jack Pedersen, who transferred to Washington State.

This open competition for the new top receiving target alongside a reunion with his JMU position coach, will allow Phifer to see the field often in 2026.

His physicality typically limited him to a blocking tight end assignment with the Dukes, allowing him to occupy a strong role in the run and protection schemes that set up receiving opportunities on short concepts.

Game experience and scheme familiarity should translate to more production as Phifer enters his fourth year of eligibility with the Bruins. While unlikely to be the primary receiving tight end, Phifer should be in the running to see the field often come September.

Brayden Loftin
Former School: Kansas State

Bringing 22 Power four game experiences with him, junior tight end Brayden Loftin joined the Bruins after three seasons with Kansas State. Registering his first career reception in 2024, the Omaha, Nebraska, local racked up 125 receiving yards and two scores across 172 offensive snaps during the 2024 season.

In 2025, Loftin primarily saw action on the Wildcats’ special teams, including field goal and kickoff. His rotational role in 2024 and 2025 primarily took the form of a reserve tight end on heavy personnel.

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This touchdown from 2024 against Arizona demonstrates Loftin’s abilities in the passing game. Lined up off the ball, Loftin slows his feet to simulate blocking before breaking into his route, hauling in the pass for a score.

Loftin was part of a Wildcats’ tight end room that led the country in touchdowns in 2024 with 13.

As part of this unit, Loftin was the second most productive pass catcher, bringing in 11 receptions. Despite his reduced production in the passing game, his role in the run game as a blocker allowed Kansas State to average 215 rushing yards per game – the 11 highest figure in the country.

For the Bruins, expect Loftin to be a competitor for primary tight end responsibilities this spring. His experience on both offense and special teams will be valuable for replenishing UCLA’s tight end depth.

Harry Lodge
Former School: Wake Forest

Another transfer with Power Four game experience, redshirt junior tight end Harry Lodge will suit up for the blue and gold following four years at Wake Forest.

Standing at 6-foot-6, Lodge registered 110 yards during his most productive season in 2024 before being sidelined for most of 2025 due to injury.

Similar to Loftin, Lodge’s experience will be beneficial for the younger returning group of tight ends in 2026. Primarily working as a pass catcher, Lodge was able to display impressive hands but was limited by injury during his time in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Lodge has a strong chance to see serious playing time with the Bruins as their primary pass-catching tight end, potentially occupying the role left behind by the departures of Habermehl and Pedersen.

His film reveals flashes of a Big Ten-caliber tight end, especially this 31-yard reception against Virginia from 2024.

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The video shows Lodge lined up as the first player in the bunch at the top of the screen. When the ball is snapped, Lodge carries out a blocking responsibility to sell run action before releasing and finding space downfield for an explosive play.

Running with longer strides, Lodge can quickly turn short completions into explosive plays. Expect Lodge to be a primary target on flats, comebacks and short streaks. Especially in play action concepts, Lodge can be a solid target in the low red zone and on short third downs.

While the composition of the tight end depth chart is unlikely to be finalized by the conclusion of spring ball, Lodge should be a solid contender for the starting role.

Stevie Amar Jr.
Former School: Boston College

A high ceiling project with four years of eligibility, freshman tight end Stevie Amar Jr. rounds out the Bruins’ tight end transfer portal class.

Amar spent one season at Boston College, where he appeared in three games before redshirting to protect an eligible year.

Ranked as a three-star recruit in the class of 2025, Amar prepped just down the road from UCLA at Oaks Christian School, where he registered 14 touchdowns in his final two seasons of high school football.

A converted quarterback, Amar’s raw athletic ability and positional versatility make him a highly projectable prospect that will have ample time to develop as his career progresses.

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Amar demonstrates a high-level yard after catch ability at the high school level with the athleticism and running sense to make defenders miss in the open field. As a blocker, he is incredibly physical at the point of attack and plays with good pad level to move opposing players.

As his collegiate career continues at UCLA, Amar should continue to build upon his established skillset to compete for playing time on special teams and certain offensive personnel groupings.