If one thing is clear, it’s that Bob Chesney is operating UCLA like an elite program. The Bruins were able to land Jackson Roper, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound interior offensive lineman from Colorado. Roper is ranked 166th nationally, 9th at his position, and first in Colorado. This is a massive addition for the Bruins, especially considering they just lost Garrett DiGiorgio . Why This Is Impressive Dec 9, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Bob Chesney is introduced as UCLA Bruins football coach at press conference at Renee Luskin Conference Center Centennial Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images What makes this recruitment so impressive is the number of teams UCLA beat out. Not only did the Bruins beat Colorado — the school closest to Roper — but they also beat Big Ten powerhouses like USC, Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan. It should also be noted that UCLA beat out SEC programs such as Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and Oklahoma.…