Bob Chesney and UCLA get huge recruiting win by landing 5-star George Toia

UCLA football coach Bob Chesney. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bob Chesney and UCLA get huge recruiting win by landing 5-star George Toia

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 30, 2026 10:30 PM ET

The UCLA Bruins have picked up easily the biggest commitment, so far, of the Bob Chesney era.

Despite facing a ton of major competition, namely the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Texas Longhorns, Oregon Ducks, LSU Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners, Chesney and the Bruins have picked up one of the top defensive line recruits in the country.

That would be George Toia, a 4-star defensive lineman from Trophy Club, Texas.

Toia is ranked as the No. 8 defensive lineman in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

His older brother, Jay Toia, played at UCLA and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This was a commitment Chesney and the Bruins won fair and square, though.

“I’m excited to be coming back home to Cali,” Toia said, via Greg Biggins of Rivals. “I really believe in coach Chesney and his vision for the program. UCLA is a totally different program right now and this staff is going to turn things around."

Interestingly enough, Toia revealed that UCLA wasn't even on his radar as recently as just a few months ago. The hiring of Chesney made a big difference with him, clearly.

Bob Chesney and UCLA win over big-time 2027 DL George Toia

BREAKING: Four-Star DL George Toia has Committed to UCLA, he tells me for @Rivals⁰
The 6’1 300 DL chose the Bruins over Texas, Michigan, and Penn State

He’s ranked as the No. 8 DL in the ‘27 Class (Rivals Industry)⁰
“Still aroun so look aroun!!”https://t.co/SHCB7hwRaW pic.twitter.com/PjWu9j5l6l
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 30, 2026

Chesney comes to UCLA after spending the last two seasons with James Madison. He took over for Curt Cignetti and went 21-6 over the past two seasons. That included an 8-0 record in the Sun Belt this past season as well as a berth in the Sun Belt Conference Championship and the College Football Playoff.

“It all started when I visited the campus over my spring break,” Toia explained. “I want to say that was back in January. That was the first time I met the new staff and I was immediately impressed talking with coach Chesney and the entire defensive staff.

“Then I went to several spring practices and I was getting so fired up being there I wanted to suit up and jump out there with the players. Everything is about competition and I love the way the coaches push the players. The way they coach, fits my personality. They coach hard but don’t demean you and it’s positive but tough. I know I’ll be able to develop there.”

Toia checks in at 6-foot-2, 305 pounds.

He's the 10th, and highest-ranked, commitment to UCLA's 2027 class, which is currently ranked No. 15 in the country.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: