When you have 24 college offers on the table, choosing a school should be a no-brainer. For Huntington Beach quarterback Brady Edmunds, the decision came early—the 4-star signal-caller, who lit up the field with 2,724 passing yards and 32 touchdowns last season, committed to Ohio State in December 2024. But in the world of recruiting, a hard commitment is never truly set in stone.
Now, a late push from a Big Ten rival is testing that loyalty. Enter Bob Chesney, UCLA's first-year head coach who's on a mission to reclaim Southern California's homegrown talent. For years, elite prospects like Nico Iamaleava slipped through the Bruins' fingers, heading to programs like Tennessee instead. Chesney isn't letting that happen again.
His focus has landed squarely on Edmunds, a local star who grew up just minutes from UCLA's campus. The buzz around a potential flip has grown loud enough that Ohio State insiders on the Locked on Buckeyes podcast are sounding the alarm. "He's allegedly been to UCLA a few times," one host noted on May 3. "That's not great. I don't know if Ohio State knew that was going to happen... but he's been committed forever."
The in-state factor is a powerful pull. With Iamaleava set to use his third year of eligibility next season, the starting quarterback spot at UCLA could be wide open by 2027. "He lives in the Greater Los Angeles area. He's at Huntington Beach High School, on the edge of LA. UCLA has a new head coach trying to make a mark. He could play early," the host added.
Chesney's staff has been relentless—traveling to Huntington Beach, meeting Edmunds face-to-face, bringing him in for Junior Day, and staying in touch during spring practice. With no quarterbacks committed for 2027, UCLA is making it clear: Edmunds is their priority.
For Ohio State, the concern is real. "I doubt they have somebody like Brady Edmunds," the host continued. "We've heard all the stuff about Peter Bourque... he was going to Penn State, but then Auburn and Ohio State got involved. It's kind of goofy... if he visits Ohio State, all bets are off."
As the recruiting battle heats up, one thing is certain: the Buckeyes' prized 2027 commit is now facing his toughest test yet. And for fans, this is a reminder that in college football, loyalty is only as strong as the next visit.