Linebacker Matthew Muasau re-commits to UCLA for 2026
Matthew Muasau will follow the family tradition after all. Wednesday, the three-star linebacker from St. John Bosco became the latest UCLA commit … again, informing the staff before formally revealing his decision Friday on social media.
The 2026 prospect originally committed to the Bruins back in May but backed off that pledge last month after the Bruins’ winless start before a recent turnaround.
Muasau was one of several recruits committed to UCLA to reconsider after the program parted ways with head coach DeShaun Foster. Since then the Bruins have reeled off three wins in four games.
The buzz surrounding the team since the staff changes is helping UCLA gain momentum again on the recruiting side. The Bruins flipped Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) defensive back CJ Lavender from Washington on Tuesday.
Muasau is now the third addition to the class this week for interim head coach Tim Skipper and the Bruins. The group is now 13 players deep and on the rise again. UCLA once had a top-25 class for 2026 with Muasau being one of the key parts of the group.
His connection to the program through his brother, Darius, certainly helped put UCLA in a strong position. Muasau had been solid with the Bruins up until the coaching moves, particularly the decision by UCLA and previous defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe to go their separate ways.
“It’s just a family they built over there,” Muasau said in September. “Since my brother went over there, I felt like it was a family over there. It really started with coach Malloe. We’ve known him for a long time and then coach Scott White, I went to the UCLA camp two years ago and I balled out and coach Scott White really liked me and offered me.”
Muasau took a step back to evaluate
The three-star recruit took some time to evaluate his situation following Malloe and UCLA going their separate ways. Muasau backed off his commitment to UCLA less than three weeks ago on Oct. 2. Sacramento State offered him a day later. Other programs had been making a push for Muasau even before his decision to decommit.
“First off, I want to thank the entire UCLA staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be part of the Bruin family. After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to decommit from UCLA and reopen my recruitment,” Muasau wrote in a post on Twitter announcing his decision earlier this month. “Much love and respect to UCLA, wishing them nothing but success moving forward.”
Washington, San Diego State and UNLV, which offered in September, had also been in the picture for the UCLA commit.
UCLA regaining momentum on the recruiting trail
Muasau was the 10th recruit to decommit from the Bruins following the coaching shakeup in September. The Bruins have been able to right the ship again, however. The recruiting staff has been able to generate momentum thanks to the work being done by Skipper and the coaches on the field.
It has led to multiple commitments this week including 6-foot-6 offensive tackle Travis Robertson, who committed to UCLA on Sunday.
Muasau rejoins Hawaii-based recruit Malaki Soliai-Tui as the second linebacker commit in UCLA’s 2026 class.
