Chesney's JMU Pipeline Reshapes UCLA Roster — SkimNews
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- Bob Chesney is rebuilding UCLA's roster using the JMU-to-Big Ten pipeline that powered Curt Cignetti's national title at Indiana, importing roughly a dozen former Dukes with about half serving as significant contributors.
- UCLA retained five-star QB Nico Iamaleava (Sr., transfer from Tennessee), and the Bruins sit 24th in the 2026 247Sports talent composite compared to the 72nd Indiana ranked when Cignetti started; Chesney called Iamaleava's retention key to bridging past the dysfunction of 2025.
- Wayne Knight (5th Yr., transfer from James Madison) is pacing one of the country's best rushing attacks at a 9.08 yards-per-carry clip, with more rushing touchdowns than 30 Power Four teams.
- Omosigho, a linebacker who was 'lost in the shuffle at OU' before arriving, has 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks through four games and is described as emerging as one of the nation's best at his position.
- Safety James has three interceptions so far this season — only one player in the country has more — pairing with Malik Hartford, who recovered from 2025 shoulder surgery to contribute this season.
- The JMU import includes two interior offensive linemen, Sweazie and Robell, whose height-and-length questions at tackle are mitigated inside, helping power one of the nation's most efficient run games.
- Curt Cignetti (Indiana) and Chesney worked together at James Madison before Cignetti moved to Bloomington with 13 JMU players — seven of whom remained on Indiana's national title roster; UCLA carries that same template into its own roster rebuild.
Why it matters: Chesney gave UCLA a 24th-ranked 247Sports talent composite — far higher than the 72nd Cignetti inherited at Indiana — by retaining five-star Iamaleava and importing a dozen JMU players. Early returns validate the rebuild: Knight leads nationally in rushing efficiency at 9.08 YPC, and Omosigho's 7.5 tackles for loss through four games place him among the country's best linebackers.
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