UCLA Defense Prepares for NFL Departures, Iowa Pass Attack Expected to Shift

UCLA football faces significant changes on defense with the departure of key players Carson Schwesinger and Kain Medrano to the NFL, relying on returners JonJon Vaughns and Gary Smith II to fill leadership roles and revitalize the defensive line. Despite injuries last season, Smith and fellow lineman Keanu Williams are expected to regain form, with defensive coordinator Malloe focusing on regaining their confidence in training camp. On offense, quarterback Nico Iamaleava has promising weapons in receivers Kwazi Gilmer and Mikey Matthews, although both are currently limited in practice due to monitoring devices, and Kaedin Robinson's eligibility issues have removed him from the roster, leaving UCLA's wide receiver depth thinner but the team optimistic. Meanwhile, Iowa is addressing longstanding struggles in its passing game by overhauling its quarterback roster, bringing in transfer Mark Gronowski as the projected starter and expressing confidence in receivers like Sam Phillips to improve the passing attack. At West Virginia, competition for the starting quarterback position is heating up between returning player Nicco Marchiol and transfer Jaylen Henderson, with running back Jahiem White and wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III expected to be key offensive contributors this season. Overall, programs like UCLA emphasize the importance of fan engagement and entertainment value as essential to sustaining college football programs that may not always be national title contenders but rely on building hope and support year-round.