2026 DL Anthony Jones commits to UCLA for the second time

Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones is back in UCLA’s 2026 recruiting class. He told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett on Sunday that he has re-committed to the Bruins.

Jones originally committed to DeShaun Foster and the in-state program in May, but was one of the many recruits that decommitted after Foster was fired this fall. Arizona State and Arkansas were among the schools in contact with Jones as of late.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder is the No. 490 overall prospect and No. 52 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 39 recruit in California.

Jones is the second prospect to re-commit to UCLA, following Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco three-star linebacker Matthew Muasau. The Bruins, currently led by interim Tim Skipper, are back up to 13 total commits this cycle.

Washington and Tennessee were contenders for Jones’ pledge the first time around this summer. He detailed that commitment with Rivals’ Chad Simmons:

“It is a great fit for me,” Jones said. “I was at UCLA a few weeks ago and I love it up there. Their staff has been hard on me for a while and it is really like home for me there. I have known multiple coaches on that staff for years. They have recruited me for years and they just make it feel natural for me to be there.”

Despite the incoming staff changes, Jones still feels like UCLA is the right spot for him at the next level. He’s now one of three D-linemen in the Bruins’ class, alongside Marion (Mass.) Tabor Academy teammates Carter Gooden and Marcus Almada.

UCLA also added a commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei three-star safety CJ Lavender last month. The former Washington pledge is one of four defensive backs in the class to date.

“It’s a great atmosphere and I’ve been going up there since I was younger. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in my state so it was a no-brainer to me,” Lavender told Rivals’ Adam Gorney about his decision.

UCLA’s full class, which now checks in at No. 59 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, can be seen here. There are still a trio of blue-chippers pledged with the December signing period just over four weeks out: Gooden, four-star interior offensive lineman Micah Smith and four-star wide receiver Kenneth Moore.