The UCLA football program has already felt the ripple effects of its decision to part ways with head coach DeShaun Foster, as two members of the 2026 recruiting class have decommitted in the wake of his firing.
Medina, Tennessee South Gibson three-star EDGE Yahya Gaad, committed to UCLA since May 16, told Rivals’ Adam Gorney that he is reopening his recruitment. “It’s very heartbreaking,” Gaad said of Foster’s dismissal. “I loved that man.” Gaad, who previously had committed to SMU, is the No. 535 overall prospect and No. 57 defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, as well as the No. 17 recruit in Tennessee. He holds offers from more than 15 programs and has announced plans to visit Florida State this weekend.
Seattle O’Dea three-star defensive lineman David Schwerzel has also decommitted from the Bruins. Schwerzel, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound lineman who committed on June 19, is ranked No. 460 overall and No. 46 at his position nationally, and is the No. 2 recruit in Washington. He also holds offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Washington, and Stanford.
UCLA Loses Two After Firing Deshaun Foster
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Gaad and Schwerzel join four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones and three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones as players who have withdrawn from UCLA’s 2026 class since Foster’s departure. Prior to the upheaval, UCLA held the nation’s No. 23 recruiting class; the current class has slipped to No. 39 nationally and No. 13 in the Pac-12, with 18 commits remaining.
Foster, who was in his second season at his alma mater, finished 5-10 overall and 5-7 in 2024. Despite a late-season rally the previous year, UCLA’s 2025 campaign started 0-3 with losses to Utah, UNLV, and most recently a 35-10 defeat at home against New Mexico. The administration ultimately decided to move on from Foster following that latest loss.
“Yeah, it’s pretty low right now,” Foster said after the New Mexico defeat. “Like you said, I’ve been around this program for a long time. It’s just unfortunate what’s going on at this moment. We’re just not executing.” When asked if he still felt he was the right leader for UCLA, Foster remained confident. “Most definitely. (Why?) Because I can get these boys to play … If you’re a real Bruin, you’ll still be a fan. There are plenty of programs that have had unfortunate starts who have turned stuff around. You’re either going to stick with it or not.”
The Bruins owe Foster a $6.24 million buyout, which was set to decrease from 70% of his remaining salary to 60% after December 1, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
As the program navigates the fallout, recruiting stability will be a key concern for the new coaching staff. With multiple high-profile decommitments, they face the challenge of retaining current commits and rebuilding momentum in a class that had initially positioned the Bruins among the nation’s top programs.