Athlon Sports names five UCLA Bruins to Preseason All-Conference teams

We inch closer and closer to college football season with each passing weekend. There’s plenty of reasons to be excited to see the new-look UCLA Bruins in action and Athlon Sports agrees, choosing five Bruins to their Preseason All-Big Ten teams.

>While five players making All-Conference sounds like significant recognition, Athlon Sports hands out a First, Second, Third and Fourth team All-Conference, which means that a total of 156 Big Ten players were selected across the four teams.

>That 156 number divided by 18 (the number of Big Ten football teams) you get 8.67, which takes the excitement away from Athlon Sports’ outlook on UCLA football. Even if the Bruins had plenty of company in the preseason All-Conference, it remains an exciting distinction for several UCLA players that are new to campus.

Second Team Offense: All-Purpose - Wayne KnightWayne Knight starred at James Madison last year, helping lead the team to the College Football Playoffs. Knight put up over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone 10 times.

Third Team Defense: Defensive Lineman - Sahir WestAnother JMU transfer, with Sahir West breaking out as a freshman, earning Freshman of the Year for the Sun Belt Conference. West registered seven sacks and forced a fumble in 2025. UCLA is hoping he’ll do more of the same in 2026.

Third Team Special Teams: Punt Returner - Wayne KnightKnight is back again! The lone Bruin to be named a two-time preseason All-Conference player put up 180 punt return yards and another 89 on kick returns with James Madison last year.

Fourth Team Offense: Offensive Lineman - Eugene BrooksEugene Brooks started 11 games for the Bruins last season after transferring in from Oklahoma. Brooks is a building block for the UCLA offensive line, as he’s entering just his redshirt sophomore season.

Fourth Team Defense: Linebacker - Sammy OmosighoMuch like Brooks, Sammy Omosigho came to the Bruins from the Oklahoma Sooners. Omosigho is readying for his first season with UCLA after making 50 tackles last season for Oklahoma.

Fourth Team Defense: Cornerback - Rodrick PleasantNot only is Rodrick Pleasant the fastest player in EA Sports’ College Football 27, he’s also a preseason All-Conference cornerback. Pleasant was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in his first year with UCLA, so the expectations are high in 2026.

>This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Athlon Sports names five UCLA Bruins to Preseason All-Conference teams