Scooter Jackson is cleared to play for UCLA this season, ending the uncertainty that had hung over his status because of academic eligibility issues. Multiple sources told Bruin247 that Jackson was eligible to go, and he was cleared Thursday.
That’s a big development for a Bruins secondary that had been sorting through options while Jackson was in limbo. During the media viewing period of practice, Rodrick Pleasant and Derrick Barksdale were getting first-team work at cornerback, Cole Martin was lining up at nickel, and Tao Johnson and Malik Hartford were handling safety duties.
Jackson’s versatility is what makes this matter. He has experience at all three spots in the secondary, giving UCLA another piece it can move around depending on need.
His path to this point has been busy. Jackson began the 2025 campaign at safety after transferring from Utah Tech.
Four games into the season, he moved to nickel and then settled into a strong nine-game stretch as a starter. Over that run, he posted 44 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
That performance, along with his strong start under the new staff in the spring, raised expectations for 2026. Jackson was working at cornerback during spring practice before being sidelined and missing the entire second half of camp. He later returned for fall camp this summer, though he never took first-team reps during the media viewing window.
Now, though, he’s available. Jackson can play for UCLA this season, and he’ll be eligible for Week 1 in Berkeley. It remains to be seen where he fits and how much he plays, but he could slot in at one of the defensive back spots for the Bruins Saturday against Cal.
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UCLAs Cal Opener Is Already Reshaping Key Bruins Position Battles
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One of the more telling takeaways came up front, where Amier Washington was in the starting group at defensive tackle, and the edge group showed its own intrigue as the Bruins mixed and matched for much of the night. Even with a few minor injury scares along the way, UCLA kept competing, got a forced fumble from Samuel Omosigho and finished with Mateen Bhaghanis late field goal, but the more lasting questions may come from how the Bruins lined up when the first week actually mattered. [Read more 🡒]