4-Star Commit Wastes No Time Attracting Recruits to UCLA

Colton Jr., a 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker out of Georgia named the Bruins in his top five along with Ole Miss, Tennessee, Colorado and Florida State. He would be a great addition to a Bruin defense that already received a commitment from edge Yahya Gaad, who also took to social media to recruit Colton Jr.

Smith chose Westwood over four other finalists. Respectable programs like Alabama, Illinois, South Carolina, Tennessee and Big Ten foe Ohio State got beat out by the Bruins. DeShaun Foster and his program fostered in a commitment to "build real relationships coast-to-coast." The method seems to be paying off after landing Smith all the way from Vero Beach, Florida.

According to ESPN, Smith's decision to join UCLA was heavily influenced by his relationship with Bruins offensive line coach Andy Kwon, who just joined UCLA this offseason. Kwon's development plan present to Smith during his spring visit was reportedly a huge driver in the recruit's decision.

"My relationship with [Kwon] was a huge factor," Smith told ESPN. "That's the person that's going to develop you. The culture of the program, that connection with the O-line coach and the opportunity to play when I get there were all big for me."

Smith, a a 6-foot-3, 320-pound offensive tackle is ranked No. 46 in ESPN's top 300 recruits of 2026. He's the seventh-ranked offensive tackle in the nation. The recruit took his official visit to Westwood in May and knew right then and there that he wanted to be a Bruin.

"I just felt it when I went there -- it felt like home to me," Smith told ESPN. "I was never certain of when I was going to commit. But when I felt right about it, I knew I was going to be ready to make that the time to do it. It felt right."