Troy Aikman appears somewhat hesitant to dive into full-time recruiting, but his involvement in UCLA’s pursuit of four-star quarterback Brady Edmunds was significant enough to pull him in. Aikman even recorded a personal message for Edmunds during the standout’s official visit to Westwood, enhancing what’s shaping up to be a compelling recruiting saga for the 2027 class.
“I hope you have a great time in Westwood this weekend,” Aikman shared in a message, which Edmunds later discussed in a video posted online. The quarterback mentioned, “I really enjoyed my time at UCLA… I look forward to seeing you take it to the next level, and I hope that happens at UCLA as well.”
The timing of Aikman’s involvement is quite interesting.
Edmunds has been committed to Ohio State since December 2024, where he was previously regarded as a top-tier quarterback. Yet, confidence in that assessment seems to be fading.
“The visit went really, really well,” Edmunds said. “Whatever expectations I had, it definitely exceeded them. Right now, I don’t know where I’m going.”
This could be a pivotal moment for a team eager to rebound from a challenging 2025 season.
The Bruins are about more than just tradition or their location. A lot of the excitement has come from first-year head coach Bob Chesney, whose arrival has stirred plenty of chatter in the college football landscape.
Before joining UCLA, Chesney enjoyed a successful tenure, winning at every level from Division III to the FCS and becoming known as one of the sport’s best program builders.
His dynamic practices and aggressive recruitment style, alongside his focus on culture, draw comparisons to how Curt Cignetti transformed Indiana into a national contender.
After taking over at James Madison post-Cignetti, Chesney led the Dukes to a 12-2 record and a playoff appearance in 2025.
Edmunds’ experience at UCLA certainly left an impression on him.
“I definitely felt very valued there,” he said. “They made it clear. They laid out a plan for me.”
Ohio State remains firmly in the running, with more official visits lined up. Still, UCLA has achieved something remarkable over the last 17 months that not many programs have.
This seems to mark a shift for Ryan Day, who has long reassured fans but now appears uncertain about where Edmunds will end up.
