Three-star Texas QB Karson Gordon commits to UCLA: 'That's the biggest stage you can ask for'

Karson Gordon had enjoyed a storybook ending to his senior season at Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal School, and years of hard work and fortitude led to Tuesday.

Days after leading his Knights to a TAPPS state championship, Gordon committed to Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins. Gordon, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 83-rated QB from Houston, was previously committed to the UNLV Rebels.

The state championship-winning QB picked up an offer from the Bruins midway through his senior season, but elected to keep that offer private. Gordon and his family visited the Rose Bowl last month when UCLA hosted Colorado for a primetime showdown. On the visit, Gordon saw a massive opportunity ahead of him competing in the Big Ten — not only as a quarterback but triple-jumping for the Bruins’ track and field team.

“Chip Kelly and the experience he has on multiple levels stood out to me at first,” Gordon told On3 of his decision to commit to UCLA. “As a QB getting recruited, his name is just one of the names you know from being in the game a long time and having success. Also, from the education to the campus life to athletic life, UCLA feels just like my high school experience at Episcopal — just on a way larger scale, of course. As soon as I stepped into the facilities and onto campus, it felt just like home and like I’ve been there before.”

“Some highlights were definitely the sold-out crowd and all the energy they brought,” Gordon continued on his visit to Westwood, when his made was made up. “It was like 71,000 in attendance, and that’s the biggest stage you can ask for as a college football athlete. I was excited I was able to visit for that specific game because I knew it was gonna be extra packed due to the pub that Colorado has been getting this year, and it definitely did not disappoint.”

UCLA offered big Big Ten potential

UNLV’s Brennan Marion was a huge reason why UNLV landed a commitment from Gordon in the spring.

Gordon wrestled with his connection to the Rebels and Marion, but elected to follow a better fit on the field and off the field in Los Angeles.

“Recruiting has been a long and stressful journey,” Gordon said. “The coaches (at UCLA), them being open with me and encouraging my dual-sport involvement and the exact ways I can fit into their offense and play style, as well as how well I can feel at home with off-the-field things such as academics and campus life.”

“It wasn’t easy at all, but I had to make a business decision that could set myself and my family up for life,” he explained. There was nothing wrong with UNLV and I built a lot of great relationships and friends while being a Rebel. I had to make that hard decision due to the whole scope of the situation and all UCLA can bring to my life — from the large and promising market of L.A. I can capitalize on, the track team which is consistently top in the nation and will help me develop into a better jumper. The move to the Big Ten is exciting, and I can do for both of the sports I plan to participate in.”

Gordon is the nation’s No. 1,551 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 84 quarterback and No. 219 player in Texas.