Maurice Jones-Drew's Son Just Committed to UCLA and the Legacy is Real
Duece Jones-Drew, the son of former NFL All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, committed to UCLA on Sunday. The running back from De La Salle High School in California is a three-star prospect in the 2027 recruiting cycle, and he's ready to follow his dad's path through Westwood.
Following a Legend
Maurice Jones-Drew wasn't just any player. The elder Jones-Drew was a unanimous All-American at UCLA from 2003 to 2005, where he became a record-setting punt returner for the Bruins. He went on to be a second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006, made three Pro Bowl appearances, led the league in rushing, and earned All-Pro honors in 2011. That's generational talent. Now his son, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound back, is stepping into that same program to write his own story.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiDuece told ESPN that his decision came down to UCLA's fresh energy under first-year coach Bob Chesney. "Coach Chesney's experience as a winner set them apart for me," he said. "He's won everywhere. He took James Madison to the College Football Playoff. Think about what he can do at UCLA." Duece also credited running backs coach A.J. Steward, a carryover from former coach DeShaun Foster's staff, as a major influence during his visits to UCLA.
Chesney's Recruiting Machine is Rolling
This commitment is the seventh addition to UCLA's 2027 class since April 30. The Bruins have been on a tear lately. Four-star defensive tackle George Toia (No. 60 overall) committed Thursday, followed by four-star offensive guard Jackson Roper (No. 210) on Friday, beating out Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. Over the weekend, UCLA landed two top-100 cornerbacks: four-star JuJu Johnson (No. 36) and Jerry Outhouse Jr. (No. 83), a former Georgia commit. Three-star wide receiver Rob Larson also announced his commitment Sunday.
Duece had narrowed his finalists to Arizona, Cal, SMU, UCLA, and Utah before picking the Bruins. It's clear Chesney, the 48-year-old coach who took James Madison to the College Football Playoff and a 12-2 finish last fall, is already reshaping UCLA's recruiting trajectory after taking over in December.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.