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4-star LB Rodney Colton takes UCLA official visit

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•05/18/25•

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Rodney Colton
4-star LB Rodney Colton on official visit to UCLA (Photo via @RodneyColton24 on X)

It’s been nearly four months since Newnan (Ga.) four-star linebacker Rodney Colton backed off his commitment to South Carolina. He’s now working towards another decision and is amidst his official visit schedule.

After beginning his OV stretch at SMU earlier this month, Colton made the cross-country trip to Los Angeles this weekend and got an in-depth look at UCLA. The Bruins are looking to pluck the blue-chipper out of the Peach State.

“Rose Bowl boy? I dig it,” Colton wrote in his post on X:

Colton will stay busy in the coming weeks, as official visits to Penn State (May 30), Florida State (June 6), Tennessee (June 13) and Colorado (June 20) are also on the docket. Missouri is also expected to receive an OV at some point.

He is the No. 242 overall prospect and No. 16 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 25 player in Georgia.

As a junior for Newnan, Colton racked up 51 total tackles, six sacks and an interception. The Cougars finished with a 9-3 record and ranked as the No. 89 team in Georgia, per the On3 Composite.

Looking at UCLA’s 2026 class to date

Head coach DeShaun Foster and his staff currently have seven commits in a class that ranks No. 39 nationally, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

On Sept. 30, Provo (Utah) Timpview twin wide receivers Jaron and Kennan Pula each committed. Jaron is a four-star and the highest-ranked commit in the class, checking in as the No. 354 overall recruit. Kennan, a three-star, is the No. 422 prospect in the nation.

The Pula brothers are two of four receivers in the class already. Stockton (Calif.) St. Mary’s three-star Kenneth Moore and Irvine (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic three-star Jonah Smith are also in the fold.

Irvine (Calif.) Crean Lutheran three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones and Medina (Tenn.) South Gibson three-star DL Yahya Gaad are the newest additions to the class following commitments earlier this week. Gaad is a former SMU commit.

“It is a great fit for me,” Jones told On3’s Chad Simmons about his decision. “I was at UCLA a few weeks ago and I love it up there. Their staff has been hard on me for a while and it is really like home for me there. I have known multiple coaches on that staff for years. They have recruited me for years and they just make it feel natural for me to be there.”

Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco linebacker Matthew Muasau rounds out the pledge list to date. It also ranks No. 12 in the Big Ten, ahead of Wisconsin, Rutgers, Nebraska, Michigan State, Purdue and Northwestern.