Chesney's recruiting revival runs beyond high ratings

The carpet rolls out. Stars pose with their parents.

- BY CONNOR DULLINGER

ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times UCLA coach Bob Chesney boasts the nation's No. 14 recruiting class, but his staff emphasizes character.

Cameras flash, capturing VIP guests emerging from luxury cars.

It has all of the makings of a Hollywood premiere.

Only the carpet that lines the entrance is royal blue instead of scarlet red. The "stars" are teenage football players on recruiting visits.

The luxury car is parked on the turf of Spaulding Field.

And the Hollywood show is in Westwood.

Despite the parallels, the feeling remains the same something is brewing within the UCLA football program and it may yield awards.

The Bruins still are riding the high of their hire of coach Bob Chesney on Dec. 9.

And no group has felt the smoke of the Chesney Train more than the 2027 recruiting class.

The Bruins boast the No. 14 recruiting class in the nation and fourth best in the Big Ten, improvements of 48 and 11 spots, respectively, from the previous year, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. UCLA had. not produced a top-15 class since 2016.

Chesney's inaugural group features 23 commits, including six four-star recruits, and is headlined by five-star defensive back Juju Johnson, who ranks as the third-best recruit from California and the second-best cornerback in the nation, per 247Sports.

However, to UCLA football general manager Darrick Yray who spent the past four seasons at Florida State, signing a top-20 class each year stars and rankings mean nothing without fit.