2026 athlete Jonah Smith commits to UCLA: ‘There is a new energy there and things are about to change’

Irvine (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic athlete Jonah Smith made his fourth visit to UCLA on March 8. He left Westwood with an offer from the Bruins. 

Smith enjoyed getting to meet new head coach DeShaun Foster and learn about his plan for the soon-to-be Big Ten program. Less than a week after his trip, the 5-foot-10, 168-pound recruit continued feeling good about UCLA and decided to commit to the Bruins. 

“I committed to UCLA now because of coach Foster,” Smith told On3. “Another big part was the education and the location. That’s something I can’t pass up on. I see UCLA as a school that is about to be trending. The new staff is going to change everything. There is a new energy there and things are about to change.”

Smith had 21 offers. He chose UCLA over Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.

Foster and the rest of UCLA’s coaching staff were “excited” when Smith told them the news, which he officially announced Wednesday. The talented athlete is now the first member of the Bruins’ 2026 recruiting class.

Smith is the second player to pledge to UCLA in the last three days, as Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral cornerback Kuron Jabari Jr. chose the Bruins on March 10. He is excited to eventually play for UCLA and Foster, who he spent time with on his recent unofficial visit. 

“I met with coach Foster for about 30 minutes and he was so calm,” Smith said. “He was cool when we talked. Then, as a coach, he has so much energy. I saw him on the field and he has a new attitude with a lot of energy. He has the attitude to change things at UCLA and I like him a lot. He is going to change how people look at and think of UCLA.” 

Smith has built strong bonds with multiple UCLA coaches

Smith will eventually suit up for a coach who is very familiar with UCLA in Foster, who was elevated to head coach after serving as the Bruins’ associate head coach and running backs coach. Foster also played for UCLA between 1998-2001. 

The Bruins’ newest commit will also learn from a coach making his return to college football in former Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. UCLA’s new associate head coach and offensive coordinator has worked with players such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes and also coached the Bruins’ running backs between 2003-05. 

“Coach Bieniemy is a great coach,” Smith said. “He has a lot of experience and knowledge.” 

The Golden State native has also built bonds with new wide receivers coach Erik Frazier and tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel. Frazier came to UCLA from the Tennessee Titans and Neuheisel switched roles after coaching wide receivers under former Bruins head coach Chip Kelly. 

“Coach Frazier is a great coach,” Smith said. “He is very confident in what he is saying and I know he can get me developed. He is about the technique, he is about the details and he is a great teacher. I am excited to learn from him.” 

“I have always had that relationship with coach Neuheisel,” he added. “He was on the old staff, he is the new tight ends coach and we have that relationship. That was a piece of my decision too.”