UCLA football coach Bob Chesney is expressing considerable optimism about running back Wayne Knight, the James Madison transfer who joined the Bruins this offseason. Knight, an incoming senior, starred for the Dukes last season on an offense that reached the College Football Playoffs, accumulating 1,373 rushing yards and 397 receiving yards while scoring 10 touchdowns.
Despite his relatively modest frame at 5’7″ and 193 pounds, Knight demonstrated the ability to compete effectively in the Sun Belt Conference. Now facing stiffer competition in the Big Ten, the dual-threat back will need to prove his production translates at a higher level. Chesney has praised Knight’s explosiveness, pad level, vision, and work ethic in protection schemes during training camp.
The UCLA offensive line’s improvement could prove crucial to Knight’s success in his new conference. Chesney noted that the Bruins’ running back room features considerable depth, suggesting Knight may anchor what could become a more consistent ground attack for the program.
With Knight’s versatility as both a rusher and receiver, UCLA appears positioned to reduce its reliance on quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s scrambling ability to generate offensive production on the ground during the 2026 season.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
About the Author
