Photo Credit: Isabella Serafini/UCLA Football
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney is on a recruiting heater as his first spring practice comes to a close, landing the commitments of six players over the last three days for the 2027 class.
According to 247Sports, UCLA is now ranked No. 4 in the 2027 Team Rankings, second in the Big Ten. Since May 1st, Chesney has secured pledges from three four-star players and three three-star players. The Bruins now have a total of 16 players committed for 2027, seven four-stars and nine three-stars.
UCLA Spring Game Weekend
UCLA held its annual spring game on Saturday, May 2. During the weekend, Chesney and company hosted several recruits, landing commitments from three of its top 2027 recruits: CB JuJu Johnson, CB Jerry Outhouse, Jr. and G Jackson Roper.
Johnson is a very good cover corner who is fast and versatile, projecting as a player who can play any corner spot. Outhouse can play either CB or Safety and is athletic and big at 6-foot and 180-pounds. While Roper may move to OT in his senior year of high school, he has the frame to play interior and projects as a guard in college.
More Sports News
.wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla),
.wp-block-group:where(.alignfull) > .wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla) {
width: calc(100vw – (var(–side-spacing) * 2)) !important;
}
.embla {
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
}
.embla__container {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: nowrap;
gap: 0 !important;
width: 75%;
}
.embla__slide {
margin-inline-end: var(–column-gap);
}
.embla__arrow,
.embla__arrow:active,
.embla__arrow:target,
.embla__arrow:hover,
.embla__arrow:focus-visible {
display: none;
position: absolute;
top: 50%;
transform: translateY(-50%);
width: 40px;
height: 40px;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
line-height: 0;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75);
color: var(–color-primary);
border-radius: 100vw;
svg {
width: 24px;
}
}
.embla__prev {
left: 0;
}
.embla__next {
right: 0;
}
]]>
Also added to the mix over the weekend were RBs Duece Jones-Drew and Jayshon Gibson, and WR Rob Larson. Jones-Drew is the son of former NFL All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew. The number of commitments Chesney has secured recently has been off the charts. When asked about his recruiting success after the spring game, Chesney said, “Yeah, I think we just got another one on the field out there.” That may have been in reference to Larson’s commitment.
Building the Future at UCLA
Chesney’s recruiting success heated up as spring practices opened. The Bruins flipped the commitment of four-star Safety Khalil Terry from Notre Dame on April 21. Over the next 10 days, the Bruins then landed commitments from three-star LB Cain Brackney and the gem of the 2027 class, four-star DL George Toia.
UCLA has shown an emphasis on defense with the 2027 commitments. Nine of the players are on defense, with particular attention being paid to the secondary. Two CBs and two Safeties are among the commitments.
Offensively, the Bruins have landed two linemen, four skill position players and a TE. Both RBs are smaller backs as Jones-Drew is 5-foot-8 and Gibson is 5-foot-9. They fit the run-heavy offensive system Chesney runs. Last year, while coaching at James Madison, Chesney’s leading rusher was 5-foot-7 RB Wayne Knight, who rushed for 1,373 yards and 9 TDs.
It’s odd to see UCLA among the top recruiting rankings in the country, but Chesney has put together a very good class so far. The key is being able to keep the players committed and then signed during the early signing period. Over the last three cycles, UCLA has finished No. 59 in 2026, No. 36 in 2025 and No. 44 in 2024 according to 247Sports.
Season one for UCLA under Chesney will bring a lot of hope and a lot of hype. The recent recruiting victories will add to both. But it’s up to Chesney to continue the recruiting success. Winning and heavy NIL support will produce that success. The NIL is out of his hands, but Chesney and his staff shoulder the responsibility for the wins. And that begins Saturday, Sept. 9, when UCLA travels to Berkeley, CA, to face former Pac-12 foe California.