For the first time in the Bob Chesney era, the UCLA Bruins have a five-star recruit. It’s not a new face, but a new ranking, with 2027 cornerback recruit JuJu Johnson now being labeled as a five-star prospect.
The last time UCLA had a five-star recruit was in 2023 when Dante Moore spent one season in Westwood before bolting for the Oregon Ducks. There’s plenty of reasons to be excited for Johnson, as the Long Beach native has earned high praise while still in high school.
“Speedy two-way playmaker that projects best as a cover corner in college,” Andrew Ivins, the Director of Scouting for 247 Sports said. “Should be viewed as a potential-difference maker at the Power Four level that can work inside, outside or over the top in a secondary.”
Johnson didn’t see the field in 2025, missing the entire season with a lower-body injury but when Johnson has played, he’s shown greatness. Johnson’s ranked as the No. 31 player in the entire class and as the No. 2 cornerback behind USC commit Honor Fa’alave Johnson. Not only will the two Johnson’s be compared to each other for their college careers, they’re two Southern California players who chose to stay in SoCal at the next level.
It was quite the jump in rankings for UCLA’s Johnson, who was previously ranked as the No. 109 overall player in the 2027 class. Johnson isn’t the only promising secondary recruit for UCLA in 2027, with the Bruins also adding four-star safeties Jerry Outhouse Jr. and Pole Moala.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA's 2027 commit JuJu Johnson now listed as a five-star recruit