UCLA flips 2026 Bowling Green commit Travis Robertson
A day after extending its win streak to three games, a UCLA football team still in search of its next head coach picked up some needed momentum in the 2026 recruiting class.
Travis Robertson, a three-star offensive tackle at West Bloomfield (Mich.), announced a decision late Sunday evening to flip his commitment from Bowling Green to UCLA. The pledge to the Bruins came 22 minutes after a social media post backing off his commitment to the Falcons.
UCLA’s first commit since coaching change
Robertson’s decision comes at a curious time of uncertainty for a program that fired second-year head coach DeShaun Foster last month after an 0-3 start and mutually parted ways with first-year offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri while winless through four games.
In the process, which also included a separation from second-year defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe, the Bruins lost a dozen commitments from a class once ranked among the top 25 and has had some of their remaining commits entertain offers elsewhere. Among the losses was Rivals150 four-star offensive tackle Johnnie Jones.
UCLA, under the guidance of interim head coach Tim Skipper and fill-in coordinators Jerry Neuheisel and Kevin Coyle, has since rebounded to become one of the bigger stories in college football. A win earlier this month over then-No. 7 Penn State ignited the start of a three-game winning streak, including Saturday night’s dramatic 20-17 win over Maryland at the Rose Bowl.
Robertson’s commitment is UCLA’s first addition to the 2026 class since the flurry of changes. The Bruins are now back up to 12 commitments, as the recruiting staff has continued to extend a slew of offers and host visitors this month.
A sudden decision
In his announcement, Robertson noted “multiple conversations” with UCLA general manager Khary Darlington.
Dressed in full uniform while on an official visit, Robertson was in the team auditorium of the Wasserman Football Center in the photos.
The extent of Robertson’s relationship with the Bruins prior to the decision is a bit unclear. He hails from the same high school that produced current UCLA redshirt freshman cornerback Jamir Benjamin, who made the final tackle on special teams in the win over Maryland.
Others in the program with ties to the Michigan area include former GM Butler Benton, who is now in an executive director role on the support staff.
Robertson, listed at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, is currently the 34th-ranked recruit in the state of Michigan in the 2026 Rivals state rankings.
