Not only is Bob Chesney attracting talent from around the country, he’s keeping local talent in Southern California, with the UCLA Bruins gaining a commitment from four-star 2027 recruit JuJu Johnson Saturday morning.
It’s the second four-star recruit UCLA landed on Saturday, joining running back Jayshon Gibson, and becoming the fourth over the past two days. UCLA’s 2027 class ranking now sits at No. 4 in the nation according to 247 Sports, behind only Oklahoma, Texas A&M and USC.
It’s tough to over-exaggerate how much of a turn in fortune Chesney has been for UCLA’s recruiting efforts. In 2026, UCLA’s recruiting class ranked No. 64 in the nation and was the 16th best class in the Big Ten. Just a year later, UCLA had the second-best recruiting class in the Big Ten behind just the rival Trojans.
A class like this is just what the Bruins needed, setting the program for prolonged success under Chesney in the years to come. While UCLA will have to wait till next season for the recruits to get to campus, Chesney’s work in the transfer portal should make the Bruins an entertaining product on the field this fall.
Johnson attends Long Beach Poly High School, where he’s currently the No. 12 cornerback in the country and No. 11 player in all of California according to 247 Sports. Johnson and fellow 2027 four-star recruit Jerry Outhouse Jr. gives the Bruins a pair of young, talented cornerbacks that could change the landscape of the UCLA defense in the coming years.
Johnson stands at 5’11” and weighs 170 lbs but 247 Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins is skeptical of his reported length, but his talent is undeniable.
“Believed to be under 5-foot-11, but has verified length in the arms,” Ivins said. “Should be viewed as a potential-difference maker at the Power Four level that can work inside, outside or over the top in a secondary.”
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA snags four-star CB recruit and Long Beach product JuJu Johnson
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
