UCLA football coach Bob Chesney said Tuesday that running back Wayne Knight has looked strong in training camp and that former NFL quarterback Derek Carr has joined the program as a special advisor to the offense.
UCLA football coach Chesney praises running back Knight, adds Derek Carr as special advisor
UCLA football coach Bob Chesney said Tuesday that running back Wayne Knight has looked strong in training camp and that former NFL quarterback Derek Carr has joined the program as a special advisor to the offense.
Knight, a 5-foot-7 running back who transferred to UCLA from James Madison alongside Chesney, was limited during spring practices with an undisclosed injury but has returned to form during the team's training camp sessions in Irvine, according to Chesney. At James Madison in 2025, Knight earned second-team All-American honors and recorded 2,039 all-purpose yards on a team that reached the College Football Playoff.
Knight is competing for the team's top ballcarrier role against returners Jaivian Thomas and Anthony Woods. Chesney described Knight as 'explosive' and 'hard to put a pad on,' adding that he is 'a threat out of the backfield' and 'does a great job in the protection game,' calling him 'complete.' Chesney also noted the running back group as a whole has depth.
Reporters attending practice at Great Park in Irvine were asked not to report on team periods, limiting public detail about what Knight and others did on the field. Chesney said the offensive line 'did an unbelievable job' picking up third-down blitzes Tuesday and was 'phenomenal' in opening holes for the interior run game.
Carr, a former Pro Bowl quarterback who spent 11 seasons in the NFL and four seasons at Fresno State, offered to assist the program and Chesney agreed to take him on as a special advisor. Carr lives in Newport Beach, near the Irvine practice site. Chesney said Carr would not be present at every practice due to family commitments — he has a newborn child and other young children — but is expected to provide input on the offense, advise staff and players, and be on the sideline at games.
Chesney said the team was scheduled to have a beach day Wednesday with a cookout sponsored by Newport Rib Company, followed by pool and game room time at the team hotel. He said future bonding activities would include players discussing their 'why' and participation in big brother and alumni mentorship programs.
Chesney said offensive lineman Jordan Davis, described as a leading contender to start at left tackle, was sidelined Tuesday with a dehydration issue not considered a long-term problem. Wide receiver Aidan Mizell and center Riley Robell were also sidelined with minor injuries not expected to keep them out long.
- The source does not state the nature of Knight's spring injury.
- The source does not include any comment from Wayne Knight, Jaivian Thomas, Anthony Woods, or Derek Carr directly.
- The source does not state what Carr's formal title or compensation arrangement, if any, entails beyond 'special advisor.'
- The source does not specify when Carr is expected to begin or how frequently he will attend practices.
- The source does not state the nature of the injuries affecting Aidan Mizell and Riley Robell.
- The source does not state the current depth-chart order among Knight, Thomas, and Woods.
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