When USC football faces UCLA this fall, the Trojans will encounter a radically different Bruin team. It’s not just the coaching change which will make UCLA unrecognizable compared to 2025. Massive roster turnover is the other huge transformation which has taken place in Westwood. ESPN has details:
“UCLA gained more than it lost in the portal during the coaching transition, but the team couldn’t retain defensive starters in cornerback Andre Carter Jr., edge Anthony Jones and tackle Keanu Williams, and several decent depth players, including defensive lineman Siale Taupaki and offensive lineman Oluwafunto Akinshilo. More than half of UCLA’s departing transfers landed at Power 4 programs, so there’s some talent to replace in Westwood. The bigger hits came in recruiting, immediately after Foster’s firing, as UCLA lost commitments from outside linebacker Anthony Jones, ESPN’s No. 34 overall recruit who flipped to Oregon, as well as SC Next ESPN 300 prospects Johnnie Jones and Carter Gooden. UCLA’s recruiting class fell out of ESPN’s top 75 national rankings.”
It will be a challenge for Lincoln Riley and his USC staff to go up against Bob Chesney, who shows elite coaching chops. However, Chesney will be hamstrung this year by all the changes on the UCLA roster. He won’t be in a position to make use of first-rate weapons — not yet. He has recruited well for 2027, but the cavalry won’t come in 2026. USC should still be able to handle the Bruins this year. Next year? That might be the much more intriguing Battle of Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: UCLA’s big changes in 2026 go far beyond the new coaching staff
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
