Tracy McDannald
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tracymcdannald.bsky.social
Tracy McDannald
@tracymcdannald.bsky.social
Freelance sports writer covering UCLA football/men’s basketball and recruiting for BruinBlitz.com and HS sports around the South Bay and Long Beach for Southern California News Group
If you’re sitting there looking at all this recruiting activity UCLA continues to be plugging away at on the eve of signing day and find yourself wondering how this has all happened, this explains a lot ICYMI…
UCLA recruiting staff takes tireless work into upcoming signing day
A look at the behind-the-scenes staff that navigated a tumultuous two months during a coaching change to continue adding commitments.
www.on3.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Adam Gorney has the latest on Folsom (Calif.) WR Jameson Powell, a former Ole Miss commit who will be making a decision Friday and not tomorrow during signing day.

And guess who’s in the mix coming on strong?
Former Ole Miss commit Jameson Powell to announce on Friday
Jameson Powell backed off his pledge to Ole Miss when Lane Kiffin left and now the Folsom, Calif., will wait until Friday to decide.
www.on3.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:22 AM
An incredible job by UCLA to pull a stunner and get Seattle (Wash.) O’Dea defensive lineman David Schwerzel to flip back to UCLA ahead of tomorrow’s signing day. Greg Biggins has the details ⤵️

📝: www.on3.com/rivals/news/...
December 3, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Another UCLA defensive back hitting the portal, this time it’s LaRue Zamorano III.

Zamorano flipped his commitment this time last year from Michigan State to UCLA to play for Demetrice Martin.
December 3, 2025 at 12:49 AM
UCLA will announce its 2026 signing class tomorrow at 3 p.m., with general manager Khary Darlington addressing the media in a Zoom conference call
December 3, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Another member of the UCLA secondary hitting the transfer portal.

Andre Jordan Jr. spent one year in Westwood after transferring from Oregon State.
December 2, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Cole Martin, the son of UCLA secondary coach Demetrice Martin, leaving Westwood after one season
December 2, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The latest from Greg Biggins includes plenty of nuggets on UCLA commits and some targets the program is still looking to add before tomorrow’s signing day:
Final Signing Day Intel Out West including potential flip candidates and several prospects planning to hold off announcing
National Signing Day Intel includes latest on Ryder Lyons and Havon Finney holding off signing and potential flip candidates
www.on3.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
There is will be plenty on Bob Chesney’s to-do list once he gets to UCLA.

I outlined three items for a proven program-builder who has recently won with a combined 118 newcomers over the past 2 years, but has only coached back east.
A checklist for next UCLA coach Bob Chesney
A look at the task at hand once Bob Chesney completes his second season at James Madison and prepares for a new challenge at UCLA.
www.on3.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Now includes a sixth reaction from WR Kenneth Moore III as told to me today
A collection of reactions from UCLA commits to the news Monday that the program is expected to hire James Madison’s Bob Chesney as the next head coach:
Recruits react to UCLA hiring Bob Chesney
Reactions from commits and top targets are pouring in after the UCLA Bruins hired Bob Chesney away from James Madison.
www.on3.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A collection of reactions from UCLA commits to the news Monday that the program is expected to hire James Madison’s Bob Chesney as the next head coach:
Recruits react to UCLA hiring Bob Chesney
Reactions from commits and top targets are pouring in after the UCLA Bruins hired Bob Chesney away from James Madison.
www.on3.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Reposted by Tracy McDannald
Some background on expected UCLA hire Bob Chesney, who has a proven track record that he’s looking to continue on the Power 4 level for the first time:
Expected UCLA hire Bob Chesney gets his shot on Power 4 level
The next Bruins head coach will look to continue his string of success as he works his way up to the next rung in the college football ladder.
www.on3.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
St. John Bosco release moments ago ahead of Wednesday’s football early signing day.

UCLA commit and linebacker Matthew Muasau among the group making things official at 8 a.m.
December 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
ICYMI: An in-depth look at a UCLA recruiting staff that’s worked against uncertainty for 2+ months and has done a more than admirable job salvaging a 2026 recruiting class heading into Wednesday’s signing day.

“I think everybody can at least have something to feel proud of.”
UCLA GM Khary Darlington spoke with @uclaon3.bsky.social for 28 mins prior to the end of the season this past weekend.

He went in-depth on the work of a resilient recruiting staff in a coaching change going into Wednesday’s signing day ⤵️

📝: www.on3.com/sites/bruin-...

(📸: @mattmoreno.bsky.social)
December 1, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Meanwhile, in recruiting news, Adam
Gorney’s latest West intel heading into signing day includes one UCLA commit and a target who previously took an official visit in the spring and has been hearing from the program again:
West intel: Latest rumors and chatter heading into signing day
From LSU commit Havon Finney to former Ole Miss pledge Jameson Powell, there is still a lot going on out West ahead of signing day.
www.on3.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Meanwhile, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned that UCLA defensive back Scooter Jackson plans to enter the transfer portal.

📝: www.on3.com/news/ucla-de...
December 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Some background on expected UCLA hire Bob Chesney, who has a proven track record that he’s looking to continue on the Power 4 level for the first time:
Expected UCLA hire Bob Chesney gets his shot on Power 4 level
The next Bruins head coach will look to continue his string of success as he works his way up to the next rung in the college football ladder.
www.on3.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Tracy McDannald
UCLA GM Khary Darlington spoke with @uclaon3.bsky.social for 28 mins prior to the end of the season this past weekend.

He went in-depth on the work of a resilient recruiting staff in a coaching change going into Wednesday’s signing day ⤵️

📝: www.on3.com/sites/bruin-...

(📸: @mattmoreno.bsky.social)
December 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
UCLA GM Khary Darlington spoke with @uclaon3.bsky.social for 28 mins prior to the end of the season this past weekend.

He went in-depth on the work of a resilient recruiting staff in a coaching change going into Wednesday’s signing day ⤵️

📝: www.on3.com/sites/bruin-...

(📸: @mattmoreno.bsky.social)
December 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Got a fun story coming tomorrow morning on the relentless work the UCLA recruiting staff — from GM Khary Darlington to director of recruiting ops Marshawn Friloux & a whole team of analysts & on-campus recruiting staffers & others — has done heading into Wednesday’s signing day
November 30, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Tracy McDannald
Tim Skipper completed his final act Saturday, leading a UCLA program in limbo for the last nine games.

Ever the optimist, to no surprise to anyone who has ever been around him, Skipper is sure that better days ahead.

“It went fast.”

📝: www.on3.com/sites/bruin-...
November 30, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Tim Skipper completed his final act Saturday, leading a UCLA program in limbo for the last nine games.

Ever the optimist, to no surprise to anyone who has ever been around him, Skipper is sure that better days ahead.

“It went fast.”

📝: www.on3.com/sites/bruin-...
November 30, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Next on the agenda: UCLA signing day on Wednesday and the coaching search home stretch
November 30, 2025 at 5:45 AM
The breakdown, plus postgame press conference videos, after UCLA’s season-ending 29-10 loss to 19th-ranked rival USC:
UCLA fails to build on early lead, blanked in second half of loss to rival USC
The Bruins failed to score after halftime Saturday, ending a tumultuous season on a five-game losing streak and a 29-10 loss to the Trojans.
www.on3.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:35 AM
UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava said he has not put thought into his future plans
November 30, 2025 at 4:26 AM