UCLA Football Recruiting: Building a Foundation for the Future

The UCLA Bruins, under the guidance of new head coach Bob Chesney, are making significant strides in recruiting for the 2027 season. Recent weeks have seen considerable progress with several top targets, signaling a promising future for the program. This article delves into the details of UCLA's recruiting efforts, highlighting key prospects and strategies.

Emerging as a Contender: The 2027 Recruiting Class

Bob Chesney and his staff have wasted no time establishing themselves as contenders for top talent. Their efforts are paying off, as evidenced by several elite 2027 prospects naming UCLA as a finalist in their recruitment.

Kenneth Moore III: Wide Receiver

The Stockton native, Kenneth Moore III, a three-star wideout, is the Bruins' highest-rated recruit. Despite his size (5'10" and 165 lbs), Moore possesses impressive speed, making him a potential impact player.

Camden Jensen: Tight End

Recruited by Jerry Neuheisel out of Littleton, Colorado, three-star Camden Jensen brings size to the UCLA tight end room. At 6'6" and 250 lbs, Jensen is expected to develop into a strong blocker for the Bruins.

Malaki Soliali-Tui: Linebacker

Malaki Soliali-Tui, a three-star player and 247 Sports' No. 8 prospect from Hawaii, was recruited by former UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe. While built like a safety, Soliali-Tui has demonstrated a knack for delivering impactful hits.

Quinn Buckey: Offensive Tackle

With a stature reminiscent of a Big Ten offensive lineman, three-star Quinn Buckey stands at 6'6" and weighs 270 lbs. Buckey's length should serve him well against the elite pass rushers he'll encounter in the Big Ten.

Jayden Fox: Running Back

Another three-star recruit from Colorado, Jayden Fox, committed to UCLA shortly after receiving an offer. Fox, named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Colorado, adds depth to the Bruins' running back corps.

CJ Lavender: Cornerback

Three-star CJ Lavender from Mater Dei chose UCLA over offers from Auburn, Washington, and Arkansas. While listed as a cornerback, Lavender's versatility allows him to play various positions in the secondary.

Logan Hirou: Safety

Three-star Logan Hirou, a Southern California native, brings a willingness to tackle to the UCLA secondary. The Santa Margarita Catholic High School product is expected to add some physicality to the Bruins' defense.

Cooper Javorsky: Interior Offensive Lineman

Another Southern California product, three-star Cooper Javorsky, is a big-bodied offensive lineman. While Javorsky primarily played right tackle in high school, he is projected to move inside at the collegiate level.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

DJ Bordeaux: Quarterback

The three-star quarterback from Colorado, DJ Bordeaux, offers UCLA a dual-threat option. Bordeaux, who played high school football in both Colorado and Georgia, possesses college-ready throwing mechanics.

Marcus Almada: Defensive Lineman

UCLA ventured into Massachusetts to recruit three-star Marcus Almada. Ranked as the No. 9 player in the state by 247 Sports, Almada's size (6'4" and 280 lbs) positions him as a potential run stuffer for the Bruins.

James Moffat: Defensive Lineman

Three-star lineman James Moffat signed with UCLA after recording 6.5 sacks as a senior at Crespi High School. Moffat adds further size to the Bruins' defensive front, standing at 6'4" and weighing 260 lbs.

Markus Kier: Wide Receiver

Three-star wideout Markus Kier, an Orange Lutheran High School alumnus, will join the Bruins after initially committing to Princeton. The 6'2" Kier de-committed from Princeton to sign with UCLA.

Major Pride: Wide Receiver

Another three-star receiver, Major Pride, hails from Las Vegas and will join the Bruins after de-committing from San Diego State. Pride, who stands at 6'3", adds depth to the receiver room for UCLA.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Michael Price: Interior Offensive Lineman

The three-star Alabama product, Michael Price, flipped his commitment from James Madison to UCLA. Price, another big body for the Bruins at 6'5" and 280 lbs, provides another option on the offensive line.

Matthew Muasau: Linebacker

Three-star Matthew Muasau, another Ikaika Malloe recruit, will come to Westwood from St. John Bosco High School. Muasau initially de-committed from UCLA but ultimately signed with the Bruins.

Giancarolo Cereghino: Long Snapper

Three-star long snapper Giancarolo Cereghino rounds out the recruiting class, adding a specialist to the Bruins' roster.

Pursuing Top Talent: Key Targets in the 2027 Cycle

UCLA's recruiting efforts extend beyond signed players, with the program actively pursuing several high-profile prospects for the 2027 class.

JuJu Johnson: Four-Star Cornerback

JuJu Johnson, a four-star cornerback from Long Beach Poly High School, has scheduled an official visit (OV) with UCLA from June 19-21. The Bruins offered Johnson in January and have quickly emerged as a serious contender in his recruitment. Getting him on campus for an OV this spring should help Chesney and his staff strengthen their relationship with the four-star cornerback and improve their standing with him as he nears a decision. Cornerback is among the Bruins’ biggest needs in the 2027 cycle, and Johnson would be an excellent addition to UCLA’s class. Rivals’ industry rankings list him as the No. 48 overall player nationally, the No. 6 cornerback, and the No. 5 prospect in California. While several programs have already made significant progress with Johnson, it’s clear that Johnson is highly interested in the Bruins, and Chesney and company should build on their early momentum in his recruitment leading up to his OV. Johnson hasn’t set a commitment date, but he’ll likely decide after his OVs.

Rogers: Four-Star Running Back

UCLA is also in the running for a four-star running back from Massachusetts. Chesney and his staff have worked quickly to establish themselves as a contender in his recruitment, and their efforts have appeared to pay off. The Springfield Central star is one of the top overall prospects in the 2027 class and is coming off an impressive junior season, where, according to MaxPreps, he recorded 986 rushing yards, 373 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns. Chesney and his staff are looking to land at least one talented running back in the 2027 cycle, and Rogers would be a massive addition to the Bruins’ class. Rivals’ industry rankings list him as the No. 114 overall player in the country, the No. 7 running back, and the No. 2 prospect in Massachusetts. While UCLA has made Rogers’ top eight, the Bruins will face stiff competition from his other seven finalists. If UCLA can continue making progress and get him out to Westwood at some point this season, the Bruins should be well-positioned to land one of the top running backs in the 2027 class.

Building for the Future

While the USC Trojans had the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, bringing in 35 players, including five star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, the UCLA Bruins have a much more modest recruiting class. UCLA has signed 16 players and possesses the No. 69 recruiting class according to 247 Sports. The Bruins' 2026 recruiting class reflects a focus on identifying and developing talent across various positions. With a mix of local and national recruits, UCLA is laying the foundation for future success under Coach Chesney. As the recruiting cycle progresses, the Bruins will continue to pursue top targets and solidify their roster for the seasons to come.

When James Madison has their season end and new Bruins head coach Bob Chesney can put his sole focus on UCLA and help build out the Bruins roster with recruits and in the transfer portal. There’s still going to be plenty of additions, and perhaps even some subtractions, let’s meet the Bruins 2026 recruiting class.

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