LOS ANGELES — UCLA football’s social media accounts were flooded with selfie-style videos of newly signed recruits celebrating their futures at UCLA on the first day of college football’s early signing period Wednesday.
Three-star defensive back LaRue Zamorano spoke into the camera from the bleachers of Corona Centennial High the day after he decommitted from Michigan State.
“Can’t wait to touch down in Westwood,” he said in the video. “I chose UCLA because I wanted to be part of the Fos Era and what is to come for UCLA. Let’s do it ya’ll, 4’s up.”
Zamorano is one of multiple players who could have an early impact on the defense – particularly in the secondary. Ten out of 17 of the recruits that had signed financial aid agreements with UCLA on Wednesday were defensive players.
“We wouldn’t be taking them if we didn’t think they can come in and contribute and help us early,” head coach DeShaun Foster told reporters Wednesday. “A lot of guys come in and they’re ready to go. A lot of guys should get the opportunity to play. It just depends on how quick they pick up the playbook, how their body is physically.”
The Bruins’ 2025 recruiting class is ranked 48th, according to 247sports.com. It’s the first recruiting class fully assembled under Foster, who took over as head coach in February. Eleven of the signees are from California, highlighting the emphasis that Foster and his staff have placed on keeping local talent from leaving the state.
“They take pride in making sure that we touch almost every school in this area,” Foster said. “When I was locally just recruiting Orange County, I went to every school. It didn’t matter. Even if they didn’t have anybody, I still wanted to let them know that UCLA walked in here. Our coaches are still doing the same thing.”
Foster said 12 of the players who signed Wednesday will be early enrollees, including Zamorano. Out of the secondary players, three-star Jadyn Hudson will enroll early while fellow three-stars Kuron Jabari and Chase Coleman will arrive for summer camp.
The Bruins lost defensive backs DJ Justice and RJ Jones to the transfer portal and Bryan Addison will enter his name into the NFL draft.
Both of UCLA’s four-star recruits are locals – Muir edge Cole Cogshell and Oak Hills running back Karson Cox – who will enroll early.
It wasn’t all good news Wednesday. Four-star edge Epi Sitanilei of St. John Bosco flipped his commitment from UCLA to Ohio State and four-star quarterback Madden Iamaleava of Long Beach Poly flipped to Arkansas, making it likely Foster will look to the portal to find his next signal-caller.
“We most definitely have to get a quarterback,” Foster said. “You always want to beef up the O-line and D-line, have a couple of safety spots that are open, but I’m confident that we’re going to get some guys in here that want to be Bruins and understand what it takes to be Bruins.”
The offense will likely have to be rebuilt using the transfer portal. Quarterback Justyn Martin, running back T.J. Harden and receiver Logan Loya are all planning on entering the transfer portal when it opens Monday.
Foster added that he’s roughly halfway through his one-on-one meetings with players and doesn’t expect many more surprises.
“But it’s the nature of the business right now,” he said. “You have guys that come and go. It’s really pro football right now and it’s free agency, so certain things can happen.”
UCLA could also get a boost in future recruiting on defense from Demetrice Martin, who has left his position as Michigan State’s cornerbacks coach and is reported to be returning to UCLA. Smith was the Bruins’ defensive backs coach from 2011-2017.
Martin also had a significant impact on recruiting and helped multiple defensive backs reach the NFL.
Foster could not comment on Martin’s potential role at UCLA since he has not officially been hired yet.
UCLA 2025 early signing class
(Rankings by 247Sports.com composites)
EDGE Cole Cogshell, John Muir, 6-3, 240 (4 stars)
RB Karson Cox, Oak Hills, 6-0, 190 (4 stars)
S Jadyn Hudson, Pittsburg (Calif.), 6-2, 175 (3 stars)
OT Garrison Blank, Rocklin (Calif.), 6-7, 298 (3 stars)
TE Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin (Wash.), 6-4, 240 (3 stars)
LB Weston Port, San Juan Hills, 6-2, 225 (3 stars)
EDGE Jewelous Walls, Pittsburg (Calif.), 6-2.5, 200 (3 stars)
CB Kuron Jabari, Jr., Corona Centennial, 6-1.5, 185 (3 stars)
CB Chase Coleman, Memorial (Texas), 6-2, 160 (3 stars)
EDGE Lucien Holland, Inglewood, 6-4, 215 (3 stars)
EDGE Scott Taylor, Loyola, 6-4, 230 (3 stars)
TE Dylan Sims, Queen Creek (Ariz.), 6-5, 215 (3 stars)
DL Tyler Partlow, St. Thomas More (N.Y.), 6-4, 265 (3 stars)
QB Colton Gumino, John Hersey (Ill.), 6-2, 190 (3 stars)
IOL Nehemiah Johnson, Orange Lutheran, 6-5, 320 (3 stars)
LS Halakilangi Muagututia Jr., Kahuku (Hawaii), 6-1, 220 (3 stars)
