University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Photo by: Isabella Serafini
UCLA Football Notebook: A Spring of Growth and Competition
May 01, 2026 | Football
As UCLA's spring football practice reaches its conclusion, with the final Spring Game on Saturday, May 2 at The Rose Bowl Stadium, the shape of Bob Chesney's first Bruins team has become clearer.
"As we finish up the final practice, we took out some of the individual drill stuff to just get more reps today," Angelo M. Mazzone III UCLA head coach Bob Chesney said. "The situational football at the end, I thought was done at a high level."
Across multiple scrimmages and practices, UCLA's coaching staff has focused on competition and consistency — a deliberate approach for a roster still adjusting to a new staff, new systems and new expectations.
What matters most to Chesney is how players respond to adversity and the ever-present focus on competition in every aspect of the program.
"We talked about the growth that has to happen from the first practice to the second practice, and it certainly was there," he said. "I think as we go along - it even showed up a little more."
BUY IN ON OFFENSE
For offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, the spring's most encouraging development has been effort and understanding rather than schematic mastery.
"There's been a lot of improvement from a lot of different position groups," Kennedy said. "The buy-in was always there."
He stressed that progress has been rooted in fundamentals.
"We talk about transitioning to a block all the time," Kennedy said. "We talk about bursting for five with the offensive line and quarterbacks. That has nothing to do with scheme."
What matters most at this stage, Kennedy said, is leadership.
"You see a lot of leadership," he said. "The scheme's going to come. We still have all the summer and fall camp."
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been central to that growth.
"He's done a great job of progressing," Kennedy said. "You're seeing more checks. He's starting to understand what plays work versus different looks."
Kennedy said trust between quarterbacks and receivers is developing.
"You start to see them get after each other in a good way," he said. "More communication, because that means they're understanding the offense."
INSIDE THE RECEIVERS ROOM
Among the players who have played well throughout the spring is wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr., a transfer from South Carolina, whose playmaking ability has surfaced repeatedly.
"When he plays and he knows what he's doing, he's special," Kennedy said. "That's the big piece — staying in the playbook."
That comfort has begun to translate into chemistry with Iamaleava.
"You start to see the quarterbacks trust him," Kennedy said. "When we do get in those spots at the perfect alignment, that's where we'll become scary."
Kennedy also highlighted the influence of University of Michigan transfer Semaj Morgan in the receiver room.
"Semaj doesn't have a bad day," he said. "He has a bad rep and moves on. He brings this contagious energy. He's one of those guys this group is starting to lean on when things are bad."
DEFENSIVE GROWTH
For defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler, spring has been focused on the repetition of consistently building.
"I don't even evaluate it that way," Hitschler said. "Every day is an opportunity to get better."
Linebacker Sammy Omosigho, a transfer from Oklahoma, has made his presence felt throughout the spring.
"He's played a lot of football in big games," Hitschler said. "He knows what it takes to be successful."
The defensive front remains competitive internally.
"There's a lot of internal competition in that room," Hitschler said.
RUNNING BACK DEPTH
Chesney and Kennedy have both emphasized depth and durability at running back, particularly with rotations expected.
"It's hard to make it through a whole season at 100 percent," Chesney said. "There will be enough work for everybody."
Kennedy echoed that assessment.
"A lot of people are going to play in that room," he said. "We have to get every single person ready."
SPRING GAME AT THE ROSE BOWL – MAY 2
Saturday's Spring Game will mark the first opportunity for fans to see Chesney's Bruins in the Rose Bowl environment — and for many players, their first experience there.
"Very much," Chesney said when asked about the anticipation. "We're going to stay out there Friday night and make it a true game day."
Roughly 60 players on the roster have never played at the Rose Bowl.
"It's important that we get a chance to rep that," Chesney said.
For Hitschler, the moment will be meaningful.
"Anytime you walk into a stadium with a good group of fans, it's going to be a lot of fun," he said.
"As we finish up the final practice, we took out some of the individual drill stuff to just get more reps today," Angelo M. Mazzone III UCLA head coach Bob Chesney said. "The situational football at the end, I thought was done at a high level."
Across multiple scrimmages and practices, UCLA's coaching staff has focused on competition and consistency — a deliberate approach for a roster still adjusting to a new staff, new systems and new expectations.
What matters most to Chesney is how players respond to adversity and the ever-present focus on competition in every aspect of the program.
"We talked about the growth that has to happen from the first practice to the second practice, and it certainly was there," he said. "I think as we go along - it even showed up a little more."
BUY IN ON OFFENSE
For offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, the spring's most encouraging development has been effort and understanding rather than schematic mastery.
"There's been a lot of improvement from a lot of different position groups," Kennedy said. "The buy-in was always there."
He stressed that progress has been rooted in fundamentals.
"We talk about transitioning to a block all the time," Kennedy said. "We talk about bursting for five with the offensive line and quarterbacks. That has nothing to do with scheme."
What matters most at this stage, Kennedy said, is leadership.
"You see a lot of leadership," he said. "The scheme's going to come. We still have all the summer and fall camp."
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been central to that growth.
"He's done a great job of progressing," Kennedy said. "You're seeing more checks. He's starting to understand what plays work versus different looks."
Kennedy said trust between quarterbacks and receivers is developing.
"You start to see them get after each other in a good way," he said. "More communication, because that means they're understanding the offense."
INSIDE THE RECEIVERS ROOM
Among the players who have played well throughout the spring is wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr., a transfer from South Carolina, whose playmaking ability has surfaced repeatedly.
"When he plays and he knows what he's doing, he's special," Kennedy said. "That's the big piece — staying in the playbook."
That comfort has begun to translate into chemistry with Iamaleava.
"You start to see the quarterbacks trust him," Kennedy said. "When we do get in those spots at the perfect alignment, that's where we'll become scary."
Kennedy also highlighted the influence of University of Michigan transfer Semaj Morgan in the receiver room.
"Semaj doesn't have a bad day," he said. "He has a bad rep and moves on. He brings this contagious energy. He's one of those guys this group is starting to lean on when things are bad."
DEFENSIVE GROWTH
For defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler, spring has been focused on the repetition of consistently building.
"I don't even evaluate it that way," Hitschler said. "Every day is an opportunity to get better."
Linebacker Sammy Omosigho, a transfer from Oklahoma, has made his presence felt throughout the spring.
"He's played a lot of football in big games," Hitschler said. "He knows what it takes to be successful."
The defensive front remains competitive internally.
"There's a lot of internal competition in that room," Hitschler said.
RUNNING BACK DEPTH
Chesney and Kennedy have both emphasized depth and durability at running back, particularly with rotations expected.
"It's hard to make it through a whole season at 100 percent," Chesney said. "There will be enough work for everybody."
Kennedy echoed that assessment.
"A lot of people are going to play in that room," he said. "We have to get every single person ready."
SPRING GAME AT THE ROSE BOWL – MAY 2
Saturday's Spring Game will mark the first opportunity for fans to see Chesney's Bruins in the Rose Bowl environment — and for many players, their first experience there.
"Very much," Chesney said when asked about the anticipation. "We're going to stay out there Friday night and make it a true game day."
Roughly 60 players on the roster have never played at the Rose Bowl.
"It's important that we get a chance to rep that," Chesney said.
For Hitschler, the moment will be meaningful.
"Anytime you walk into a stadium with a good group of fans, it's going to be a lot of fun," he said.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballUCLA Football Media Availability - DC Colin Hitschler (April 30, 2026)
Thursday, April 30
UCLA Football Media Availability - OC Dean Kennedy (April 30, 2026)
Thursday, April 30
UCLA Football Media Availability - Coach Chesney (April 28, 2026)
Tuesday, April 28
UCLA Football Media Availability - Coach Chesney (April 24, 2026)
Friday, April 24