DJ Barksdale holds the NB · Starter spot in UCLA Bruins’s safety room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

DJ Barksdale is a 5'8", 181-pound nickel back from Rock Hill, South Carolina, who transfers to UCLA as a senior in 2026 after three seasons at James Madison University. Over 40 appearances with 27 starts (2023-25), he compiled 36 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 12 passes defended in 2025, earning Third Team All-Sun Belt honors. He started all 14 games that season, including the Sun Belt Championship Game against Troy on December 5, and was named Defensive MVP of the Boca Raton Bowl in 2024 following a 27-17 victory over Western Kentucky. As a true freshman, he served primarily as kickoff returner with 15 returns averaging 21.3 yards.

James Madisonthrough 2025

UCLA2026 — present