On300 RB Karson Cox commits to UCLA and DeShaun Foster

Hesperia (Calif.) Oak Hills On300 running back Karson Cox announced his commitment to UCLA on Tuesday following his official visit over the weekend.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Cox chose to play for head coach DeShaun Foster and the new Bruins coaching staff over his other finalists in Arizona State and Oklahoma State.

“What made UCLA right for me was the new coaching staff, the new Fos Era that is happening,” Cox told On3. “The energy that new whole coaching staff has of turning the team back into national competitors.”

On3 ranks Cox as the nation’s No. 9 running back and No. 150 prospect overall. He becomes commit No. 5 for Foster and company in the 2025 cycle as UCLA makes a run at its first Top25 recruiting class since 2018.

The four-star Cox has averaged over 10-yards per carry over the last two seasons, rushing for over 2,500 yards in that span and 37 scores. He is also a threat to catch the football and is a force as a two-way player.

“The plan that they have for me is amazing as well as them knowing how to recruit kids in their own backyard,” Cox said. “As well as the most of the coaching staff has played running back one point of their career.”

That includes the head coach Foster.

Cox joins a class that already includes San Juan Hills (Calif.) linebacker Weston Port, Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola edge Scott Taylor, Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral cornerback Kuron Jabari Jr. and Frisco (Texas) Memorial cornerback Chase Coleman.

Who else could be next for UCLA?

The Bruins are strongly positioned for Long Beach (Calif.) Warren On300 quarterback Madden Iamaleava. He will take an official visit to UCLA this weekend.

Iamaleava ranks as the On3 Industry’s No. 12 quarterback and No. 135 prospect overall. As a junior he carved up defenses to the tune of 3,626 yards and 43 touchdowns to just four interceptions, completing 63 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 305 yards and three scores.

A combination of Cox and Iamaleava makes for a potentially potent UCLA backfield for years to come.

Bonus Bruins Nugget

One of UCLA’s top in-state receiver targets will take his official to campus this weekend as well. 

La Verne (Calif.) Bonita On300 prospect Dylan Robinson says he’ll arrive on Thursday and stay into Saturday.

As a junior Robinson needed just 22 receptions to rack up 514 yards and six touchdowns. He added another 69 tackles and four interceptions and five passes defended playing on defense.