New UCLA Bruins football coach Bob Chesney. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

UCLA gets big-time safety transfer from Cal Poly in Mason Rivera

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 9:23 PM ET

The UCLA Bruins are starting over again under new head coach Bob Chesney.

Chesney is UCLA's fifth head coach since 2010 and seventh if you include interim head coaches Mike Johnson in 2011 and Tim Skipper this past season.

UCLA may be known as a "basketball school," but the Bruins are a sleeping giant on the gridiron. They're hoping Chesney can be the one to wake up that giant, and he took a good step in the right direction via a massive transfer portal addition on Tuesday.

That addition would be defensive back Mason Rivera, who is transferring into UCLA from Cal Poly.

River's decision was announced on social media:

BREAKING: Cal Poly transfer safety Mason Rivera has signed with UCLA, @PeteNakos reportshttps://t.co/67SEzgovwp pic.twitter.com/SJxPpuzGGc
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) February 17, 2026

There's a lot to like about Rivera as he transfers from the Big Sky to the Big Ten. It still seems strange to call UCLA a Big Ten program, but here we are.

From Tracy, California, Rivera has been at Cal Poly ever since he came out of high school.

In 2024, he earned second-team All-Big Sky honors after totaling 82 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one interception, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

This past season for the Mustangs, he notched 74 tackles, three tackles for loss, eight passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception.

Rivera is an extremely active safety, and he projects to be a big-time player for the Bruins with his one season of eligibility remaining.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: