Troy Aikman doesn\u2019t seem eager to become a full-time recruiter, but UCLA\u2019s pursuit of four-star quarterback Brady Edmunds was important enough to bring the Bruins legend off the sidelines.<\/p>\n
The Pro Football Hall of Famer<\/a> recorded a personalized message for Edmunds during the Huntington Beach standout\u2019s official visit to Westwood, adding another layer to what is becoming one of the most intriguing recruiting battles in the 2027 class.<\/p>\n Troy Aikman joins UCLA\u2019s push to flip four-star QB Brady Edmunds from Ohio State. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n \u201cHope you\u2019re having an amazing time there in Westwood this weekend,\u201d Aikman told Edmunds<\/a> via a video he posted to X. \u201cI loved my time there at UCLA. \u2026 Looking forward to seeing you take it to the next level and hoping that\u2019s going to be at UCLA.\u201d<\/p>\n The timing is notable.<\/p>\n UCLA Bruins quarterback Troy Aikman (8) in action against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Edmunds has been committed to Ohio State since December 2024 and was once viewed as one of the safest quarterback pledges in the country. Now, that certainty appears to be fading.<\/p>\n \u201cThe visit went really, really well,\u201d Edmunds told On3d<\/a>. \u201cWhatever expectation I had, it definitely surpassed it\u2026 As of now, I don\u2019t know where I\u2019m going.\u201d<\/p>\n This qualifies as a victory for a team looking to rebuild after a disastrous 2025 season.<\/p>\n The Bruins aren\u2019t simply selling tradition or proximity to home. Much of the momentum centers around first-year head coach Bob Chesney<\/a>, whose arrival has generated significant buzz throughout college football circles.<\/p>\n Bob Chesney, April 2026 UCLA Bruins Spring Practice. Jan Kim Lim\/UCLA athletics<\/p>\n Chesney built a reputation as one of the sport\u2019s premier program-builders, winning at every stop from Division III through the FCS level before arriving in Westwood. <\/p>\n His high-energy practices, aggressive recruiting approach and culture-first philosophy have drawn obvious comparisons to the formula Curt Cignetti used to transform Indiana from an afterthought into a national power. <\/p>\n Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day enters Ohio Stadium. Getty Images<\/p>\n Aikman attends the 2026 Disney Upfront at Jacob Javitz Center. FilmMagic<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Chesney stepped into Cignetti\u2019s job at James Madison after he left for the Hoosiers, leading the Dukes to a 12\u20132 record and a playoff berth in 2025.<\/p>\n Edmunds visit to UCLA resonated with him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely felt like I was valued a lot there,\u201d he said. \u201cThey made it clear. They showed me their plan for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ohio State still has an official visit to come and remains firmly in the race. But UCLA has accomplished something few programs have managed over the last 17 months.<\/p>\n It unmoored one of Ryan Day\u2019s longest-standing commitments<\/a> to publicly admit he\u2019s no longer sure where he\u2019ll play.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/strong><\/p>\n California Post News<\/strong>: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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