UCLA’s 2027 commit class is spread all over the map again this week, and the spotlight is already on a few names before Friday night even kicks off.
Mike Davis Jr. just turned in one of the louder performances of the bunch. The UCLA linebacker commit was everywhere in Mater Dei’s 10-9 win over Corona Centennial, finishing with eight total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a fourth-quarter interception that set up the game-winning touchdown. Afterward, he sounded ready for more, telling Jack Savage he was fired up and ready to watch the Bruins win “50-0” tomorrow, as he put it.
Michael Farinas also keeps stacking strong outings for Chaparral. The UCLA commit, also called Kiko in the source, scored the game-winning touchdown against Rancho Cucamonga last Friday in a 20-15 win that came down to the closing moments. He finished that game with six catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Another name to track is George Toia, whose move was noted last week by Blair Angulo. He transferred from Westminster Academy in Florida to Layton Christian Academy in Utah.
Here’s the full slate of where UCLA’s 2027 commitments are playing this week:
Friday, Sept. 18
Aidan Ray - Plano West (TX) at Richardson (TX), 7 p.m.
Colton McKibben - Carlsbad (NM) vs. Volcano Vista (NM), 7 p.m.
Duece Jones-Drew - De La Salle (CA) at St. Mary’s Stockton (CA), 7:15 p.m.
Gage Esty - Placer (CA) vs. Rio Linda (CA), 7:30 p.m.
George Toia - Layton Christian Academy (UT) vs. South Summit (UT), 4 p.m.
Godschoice Eboigbodin - JSerra Catholic (CA) at Bishop Amat (CA), 7 p.m.
Jackson Roper - Cherry Creek (CO) at Valor Christian (CO), 7 p.m.
Jayshon Gibson - Richland (TX) vs. Colleyville Heritage (TX), 7 p.m.
Jerry Outhouse Jr. - North Crowley (TX) at Duncanville (TX), 7 p.m.
JuJu Johnson - Long Beach Poly (CA) at Inglewood (CA), 8 p.m.
Khalil Terry - Tustin (CA) at Westlake (CA), 7 p.m.
Matthew Gregory - Owen J. Roberts (PA) at Coatesville (PA), 7 p.m.
Michael Farinas - Chaparral (CA) vs. Mountain Ridge (UT), 7 p.m.
Mike Davis Jr. - Mater Dei (CA) vs. Bishop Gorman (NV), 7 p.m.
Montana Toilolo - Mater Dei (CA) vs. Bishop Gorman (NV), 7 p.m.
Myles Baker - Sierra Canyon (CA) vs. Orange Lutheran (CA), 7 p.m.
Pole Moala - Serra (CA) vs. Oaks Christian (CA), 7 p.m.
Rob Larson - Folsom (CA) at Inderkum (CA), 7:15 p.m.
Thurman Lyles - Grant Union (CA) at Downey (CA), 7 p.m.
Zac Fares - Arbor View (NV) vs. Lincoln (NV), 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19
Trey Hopkins - La Salle College (PA) at Calvert Hall College (MD), 2 p.m.
Weston Hicks - Avon Old Farms (CT) at Kent School (CT), 3 p.m.
In Other News...
UCLA Snap Trends Reveal Who Bruins Already Trust Most
Through the first two weeks of the UCLA football season, the snap counts have already shown where the Bruins are most comfortable leaning. Brian Rowe has been a key part of the passing game, appearing in more than half of the offenses snaps, while the offensive line has settled into a clear rotation built around heavy usage from Schmidt and Jordan Davis. The early signs point to a unit that has found stability up front, especially in run blocking, which is often where a coaching staffs trust shows up first.
On the other side of the ball, Hartford has become just as important in the secondary, working nearly every defensive snap and helping cover for the absence of an injured teammate. Those usage patterns say a lot about how UCLA is sorting out its core pieces this early in the season, but they also raise a familiar question for any staff trying to build depth: how long can the Bruins keep asking the same players to carry so much of the load before the rest of the rotation has to answer? [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs 2-0 Start Comes With One Clear Concern Fans Cant Ignore
UCLAs 2-0 start has the kind of early-season polish any team would take, especially after a 28-10 win over San Diego State in Week Two. The defense again did plenty of the heavy lifting, with linebackers Jalen Woods and Sammy Omosigho standing out and Hartford helping keep the Aztecs from getting much going through the air. Woods also came up with a key interception, another reminder that the Bruins have had no trouble finding impact plays on that side of the ball.
The bigger question sits on offense, where Nico Iamaleava has not yet had many chances to settle in as a passer and has already thrown a costly interception. With the receiver group dealing with injuries, Semaj Morgan has been asked to step into a larger role and has responded, but the passing game still looks like the place where UCLA has the most room to grow. A 2-0 start gives the Bruins breathing room, but it also makes the contrast easier to see, and it is the one concern fans are unlikely to ignore for long. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA May Need More From Semaj Morgan Than Anyone Expected
UCLAs receiver room has been pushed into a constant state of adjustment this season, and the Bruins are feeling the ripple effects in every game plan. Injuries have thinned out the position group enough that opportunities have opened up for players who may not have been expected to carry much of the load this early. Among them, Michigan transfer Semaj Morgan has emerged as a useful answer, leading UCLA in receiving in the win over San Diego State and drawing praise from coach Chesney for the way he handled the moment.
The bigger question now is whether Morgans performance was a one-game lift or the start of something more necessary for this offense. With Landon Ellis, Mikey Matthews, Brian Rowe Jr. and Aidan Mizell all affected by injuries and their availability fluctuating, UCLA may have to lean on Morgan in ways it probably did not anticipate when the season began. For a unit already trying to find consistency, his role could become more central much sooner than anyone expected. [Read more 🡒]