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UCLA football adds 2 more James Madison players via transfer portal

On Tuesday, the UCLA Bruins added two James Madison-to-UCLA commitments when tight end Josh Phifer and defensive back DJ Barksdale announced via social media they will join Westwood.
Bob Chesney has brought in nine transfers, including five from James Madison University , and hired Jordan Smith, Matt Transue, and Richard Rodgers, all former staff at James Madison.
The 6-foot-5, 258-pound Phifer played 12 games with four catches, 40 yards, a touchdown and has two seasons of eligibility, while Barksdale was a 5-9, third-team All-Sun Belt defensive back in 2025.
The additions bolster UCLA Bruins football's roster, with 20 players transferring out and multiple January 5 portal commits, yet coaches must still find a receiving tight end to replace Hudson Habermehl.
With players on visits over the next few days, Bob Chesney has prioritized defensive back recruiting, adding Dante Lovett, Virginia Tech transfer, and Ta'Shawn James, Iowa State transfer, while also adding Ryan McCulloch, California transfer, and Hall Schmidt, offensive tackle from Boise State.

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UCLA football adds 2 more James Madison players via transfer portal

New UCLA football coach Bob Chesney has kept the transfer portal rolling in his favor. The Bruins added two James Madison-to-UCLA commitments on Tuesday, with tight end Josh Phifer and defensive back DJ Barksdale announcing via social media their intentions to come to Westwood. Chesney has now brought in nine transfers, five of whom are coming with him from the Dukes. Phifer kicked off Tuesday when he told the Southern California News Group that…

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