In a way-too-early look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, Sports Illustrated analyst Richie Bradshaw has projected a strong addition to the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense. Bradshaw believes the Chargers, who he predicts will be a playoff team in 2025, will select one of the class’s most promising edge rushers, Oregon’s beloved, with the No. 19 overall pick.
Interestingly, he has a direct family tie to the Chargers organization already. His older brother, D.J. Uiagalelei, a former quarterback at Clemson and Florida State, recently signed with the team as part of their 2025 undrafted free agent class. While D.J. is an imposing figure at 6 feet 5 inches and 250 pounds, his younger brother is even more physically dominant—standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing over 270 pounds.
His football pedigree and physical tools have been evident since his high school days. Coming out of St. John Bosco High School in California, he was rated a five-star recruit by 247Sports and ranked as the No. 19 overall player in the nation. ESPN rated him as a four-star talent, placing him 65th nationally and among the top 10 pass rushers in his class.
During his freshman season at Oregon, Matayo Uiagalelei played in 13 of the Ducks’ 14 games, though he didn’t start. Still, he showed flashes of potential with 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss while rotating in. The 2024 season, however, was his true breakout year. As a full-time starter, Uiagalelei tallied an impressive 13 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors from the media and Second-Team recognition from the conference’s coaches.
Video highlights from the 2024 season have showcased Uiagalelei’s high-level pass-rush repertoire, including moves like the “cross chop/club,” which he uses with advanced technique—demonstrating excellent footwork, hand placement, and body control as he breaks through blockers to reach quarterbacks.
The Chargers’ potential need for an edge rusher in 2026 could be critical. Star pass rusher Khalil Mack may be entering his final year with the team in 2025, if not retiring altogether. While Los Angeles did take a step toward reinforcing their front by drafting South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he may need significant time to adjust to the NFL level and physically develop into a full-time contributor.
If Matayo continues his upward trajectory as a junior in 2025, there’s a strong chance he could establish himself as a top-tier first-round talent. Given his age—he will only be 20 years old next season—he still has room to grow, both physically and technically. His blend of size, speed, and explosiveness makes him a highly coveted prospect and a potential cornerstone for the Chargers’ future defense.
In summary, while it’s still early, the idea of pairing Matayo Uiagalelei with his brother in Los Angeles is a tantalizing one. And for a team potentially on the brink of transitioning from veterans to the next generation, Uiagalelei might just be the perfect piece to anchor their defensive front for years to come.
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