BOOM!!! In a complete stunner, UCLA lands 4* OL Jackson Roper,

[ATLBRUIN]

“The Bruins weren’t even really on the radar until an unofficial two weeks ago.

In fact, most signs were pointing to Texas A&M. Roper is the number one ranked player in CO.

But the new Bruin staff under Bob Chesney, didn’t relent.

“When it came down to it, from an entire program perspective, UCLA made it impossible to say no,” said Roper.

Roper had another visit on tap for the weekend of April 18th, but circumstances changed and he and his parents went to Westwood instead.

The offer from the Bruins came in January, but they didn’t seem to ever be a real player for his commitment, but Roper said the staff continued to pursue him.

“There were a lot of things that draw from the outside- obviously it’s a huge brand, being in Los Angeles and also the No. 1 public education too, which that was a huge part of the decision, those things stand out. We said as a family ‘we should go out and see these guys,’ said Roper. “They had been reaching out so we said ‘let’s do it.”

The visit, only his second trip ever to Los Angeles after an unofficial visit to USC the month prior, was eye-opening.

“We took a ton of visits and we were always looking for three things: family and fit, and the main reason you can see that is being there in person,” said Roper. “You can build it over the phone but that was what we were looking for. The other two were education and competition. It’s the No. 1 public education in the country and the competition, it’s in the Big Ten, you’re playing Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana.”

• This topic was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by ATLBRUIN.
• This topic was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by ATLBRUIN.
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[ATLBRUIN]

With this commitment, UCLA’s recruiting class moves up to 12.

“We had these schools we were interested in and UCLA wasn’t on it,” said Andrew Roper. “But every single day, Jackson was saying ‘I talked to coach Smitty,’ or ‘I talked to this coach and that coach at UCLA.’ You really felt an organic recruitment. They were relentless but not in a negative way. We just continued to hear, ‘UCLA, UCLA, UCLA,’ and it was a very natural build.”

Roper was among the most traveled recruits in the country, taking over 30 unofficial visits to different schools for camps, games, junior days or spring practices.

He had official visits set for Colorado, USC, Texas A&M, Ohio State and Oregon and had been expected to take visits to Michigan and Texas Tech.

Instead, his lone visit will be to Westwood, though he’s still finalizing the date.

Roper will also reunite with his former Bruin teammate at Cherry Creek, running back Jayden Fox, who signed with UCLA in the 2026 class.

“I know Fox was just out there for a visit for practice, but when I got the offer or when I posted about the trip, he’d hit me and be like ‘yeah, this is the one,’ or ‘yeah, I like that one for you,” said Roper.

With all the visits and the thought of even more visits looming, Roper said he’s relieved to be done.

“I think it’s a case where I know I’m making the right decision so a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” said Roper. “I’ve loved this process but I’m ready to get to work and I’m ready to be done so I wanted to get this process done. It’s a nice weight lifted. Knowing who your people are and I think this is where I want to be.”

[Daystalker]

Somebody better do a wellness check on Pasadena, his sodium levels must be through the roof today.

[ATLBRUIN]

I hope Dena doesn’t have high blood pressure.

[GTrojan2]

Congrats, great pickup.

[PasadenaTrojan]

The real question is who is cutting the checks?

Lmao at “I believe in Coach Chesney and ucla football”
Complete Horseshit. Explain how and why?

NIL era is what it is. It’s an arms race. No more. No less.

btw you should thank Chad Bowden. Getting the #1 class in 2026 woke up the Bruin donors.  Based on Rose Bowl attendance, The only thing that does

Lastly the other tell. These kids haven’t even been on site to visit per these updates. This is all PR signing bonuses.  That’s the game we’re in.

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• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by PasadenaTrojan.
• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by PasadenaTrojan.

[Daystalker]

[ATLBRUIN]

Dena, don’t be a sad and bitter little bitch. Just say “congrats to the Bruins on this amazing recruiting tear!”

[PasadenaTrojan]

Nope. And no I don’t remember you guys celebrating USC recruiting wins so suck it. 😂🍻

[PasadenaTrojan]

At least your honest ATL. Like I said you don’t celebrate USC commitments either

[Daystalker]

No, but we don’t piss and moan like a wee little girl about them either.

[ATLBRUIN]

Yes, but we don’t act like sad and bitter little bitches when USC gets recruiting wins so suck it.

[Java]

I tend to agree.  Too many kids who just magically want to be Bruins and have never even seen the campus.

 

Color me skeptical

[Daystalker]

Oh, you two….

 

[Java]

Don’t make me post that homo Bruin  cheerleader picture again. that will live forever

[ATLBRUIN]

My Cross and Crescent brother, UCLA finally has a real head coach and coaching staff who are working their
asses off. That’s why Coach Chesney and his staff are seeing the results of their relentless pursuit of these kids.

[Butkus51]

Dang AtlBruin, you guys are on a Hot Roll, Big Shaka.  Once again Congrats.  Yeah, Jackson Roper was on USC’s Big Board so we loss one to you guys.  Kool.  Sheet 2 years of dis kine of R, UCLA is gonna be top 12 team in nation.  It has to be fun times for Bruin fans, shoot I’m excited for you guys.  I liked it when USC and UCLA ruled the PAC (Oh Stanford, UDub too).  Man, the PAC was once such a force in college FB.

Heck, I think you must buy the next round…  Cheers

[ATLBRUIN]

Thanks, Bruddah Butkus, and there’s more to come.

[Author]

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