PASADENA, Calif. — UCLA running back Wayne Knight has emerged as one of the nation’s top rushing touchdown leaders early in the 2026 college football season. Knight, a transfer from James Madison University, scored three touchdowns in UCLA’s season-opening 28-10 victory over San Diego State on September 12, bringing his total to six rushing touchdowns through the first two games. This puts him tied with Memphis’ Jaylin Carter for the national lead. However, Carter reached six touchdowns in three games, while Knight accomplished the feat in just two.

Knight’s rapid impact has energized the Bruins and their fans, reenergizing the atmosphere at the Rose Bowl following several quieter seasons. The victory marked a strong home opener, fueling optimism for UCLA’s new football era under head coach Bob Chesney. While much attention upon Chesney’s hire focused on what he might bring from his successful tenure at James Madison, Knight’s presence was a significant factor brought over from Harrisonburg.

At James Madison, Knight was a key contributor to the Dukes’ College Football Playoff run last season. He set a Sun Belt Conference record with 2,039 all-purpose yards and averaged 145.6 yards per game, ranking third nationally. This level of production is a substantial boost for UCLA, which recorded only eight rushing touchdowns in total during the 2025 season, with half coming from quarterbacks, and averaged just 139.7 rushing yards per game.

Standing 5-foot-7, Knight has demonstrated explosive efficiency in his carries this season, averaging eight yards per attempt. His scoring ability has already made a visible impact on UCLA’s offense, validating Chesney’s decision to recruit him as a key piece in revitalizing the Bruins’ running game.

As the season progresses, Knight’s performance will be closely watched as UCLA seeks to build on its promising start and regain competitiveness on the national stage.