In modern football, the role of a reliable kicker can be the difference between victory and defeat, especially in tightly contested games where every point matters.
Mateen Bhaghani has emerged as one of the most promising leg talents in college football, building on a high school career that saw him score 64 points as a junior and 66 as a senior while earning two-time Special Teams Player of the Year honors.
From Walk‑On to Starting Kicker
After a standout freshman season at Cal, where he converted 8 of 9 field goal attempts and was perfect on 29 extra points, Bhaghani transferred to UCLA. In his sophomore year with the Bruins he made 20 of 24 field goal tries and capped the season with a 57‑yard kick that stood as the longest in Big Ten history.
His consistency earned him multiple Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week recognitions, underscoring his reliability in high‑pressure moments.
UCLA’s previous campaign ended disappointingly with a 3‑9 record, but the program is now under new head coach Bob Chensey, who has infused the roster with 45 transfer portal acquisitions, aiming to reshape the team’s competitiveness.
Adding to the optimism, quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected to make a resurgence in 2026, potentially revitalizing the offense and providing Bhaghani with more scoring opportunities.