The UCLA Bruins football program has lost out on another top recruit. After Trajen Odom dashed for Ohio State and then Chinedu Onyeagoro went to SMU, top Class of 2025 offensive tackle Elijah Vaikona is going to USC. He chose the Trojans over UCLA and Washington, per Hayes Fawcett of On3.
Vaikona had UCLA on his final list but ultimately decided to go to the Trojans, The Rancho Santa Margarita product shared his thoughts: “All glory to God! We’re staying home, let’s get to work.”
It has been a rough few days for UCLA as they missed out on Onyeagoro and Odom, and saw Zaydrius Rainey-Sale commit to Washington.
BREAKING: Class of 2025 OT Elijah Vaikona has Committed to USC, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’8 360 OT from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA chose the Trojans over UCLA & Washington
“All Glory to God! We're staying home, let's get to work! #FightOn” https://t.co/96JUOMiYYd pic.twitter.com/DVYdvj9nO9
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 2, 2024
Still, DeShaun Foster and UCLA being finalists for big recruits such as these is somewhat new territory after the Chip Kelly era, so there is a silver lining in that regard.
The season is still ways out but the recruiting trail never sleeps.