4-star OT Johnnie Jones decommits from UCLA

Bradenton (Fla.) Venice four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones has decommitted from UCLA, he tells Rivals.

He was pledged to the Bruins since June 9, but is now back on the board after UCLA fired head coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday.

Jones is the No. 132 overall prospect and No. 10 OT 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. 18 player in Florida.

Since choosing UCLA, Jones has been on flip watch. He’s kept consistent contact with Florida State and the Seminoles will remain in the mix for the in-state prospect. Ole Miss, Penn State, Colorado and Vanderbilt were Jones’ other finalists ahead of his commitment to the Bruins — which came right after his official visit to Los Angeles.

“It was Johnnie’s journey and his decision,” Jones’ father, Johnnie Jones Sr., told Rivals’ Chad Simmons about the commitment in June. “UCLA was real. We saw longevity on and off the field at UCLA and Johnny feels he can be a part of something UCLA is building.”

Before the firing of Foster, he and the staff in Westwood had compiled 22 total commits and a class that ranked No. 23 nationally, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Jones was one of four commits in the class that hails from the Sunshine State.

Jones, Medina (Tenn.) South Gibson three-star EDGE Yahya Gaad and Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones are the first three to back off their UCLA pledges. Rivals’ Adam Gorney has more recruit reactions on the firing of the Bruins’ second-year head coach. UCLA lost 35-10 at home to New Mexico on Friday night and are now 0-3 this season.

The remaining UCLA recruiting class can be seen here.

UCLA fires DeShaun Foster

Foster finished his time at UCLA with a 5-10 record, going 5-7 in 2024. The Bruins started 1-5 but rallied down the stretch, signaling good things to come. However, it was not be for Foster at his alma mater.

Foster was even asked after the latest loss if he was still the right guy to be able to lead UCLA. The administration thought otherwise.

“Most definitely,” Foster said Saturday night. “(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.”

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this story.