UCLA Faces Tough Competition for 4-Star Recruit Tommy Tofi

Four-star offensive lineman Tommy Tofi from Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco has set the college football recruiting world abuzz by de-committing from the University of California. This unexpected move opens up his recruitment once more, and while UCLA was previously a contender, early indications suggest the Bruins face stiff competition from Oregon.

Tofi’s decision comes just weeks after a visit to Oregon’s campus in Eugene on June 13. According to Matt Prehm of 247Sports’ Duck Territory, Tofi has shown a strong preference for the Ducks, despite his earlier verbal commitment to Cal. Prehm noted, “Tommy Tofi was trending towards Oregon in the spring and then he made a surprise commitment to the local California Golden Bears. However, a few weeks later, the Ducks were able to get Tommy Tofi back to Eugene for an official visit. Now Tofi is trying to work through the process of deciding on sticking with Cal, opening things up, or flipping to the Ducks. Right now the Ducks are trending and the longer it goes without Tofi reaffirming his commitment to Cal, the more likely it becomes Tofi flips to the Ducks.”

UCLA’s Recruiting Landscape

UCLA’s pursuit of Tofi is part of a broader strategy to bolster their offensive line for the 2026 class. The Bruins have already secured commitments from four-star talents Johnnie Jones Jr. and Micah “Champion” Smith, both from Florida. These recruits are among the highest-rated prospects under the leadership of DeShaun Foster in Westwood. Additionally, three-star recruit Cooper Javorsky is also part of this promising group.

Despite these strong commitments, the potential addition of Tofi would be a significant coup for UCLA. Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, offered high praise for Tofi’s abilities. “Massive two-way lineman who offers a ton of positional versatility. Enormous frame and could easily play nose guard at the college level but is being recruited solely on the offensive line,” Biggins commented. “Played predominantly left tackle as a junior and shows surprising quickness and agility for a 340-pound lineman. Owns tackle length, huge hands, and a jarring punch.”

Tofi’s Potential and Future Prospects

Tofi’s skill set makes him a highly coveted recruit. His combination of size, agility, and strength is rare, and he has the potential to become a standout player at the college level and beyond. Biggins further elaborated, “Shows above-average balance and lateral mobility as a pass protector. Smashmouth run blocker. Manhandles opposing defensive ends and tackles at the point of attack and plays with the kind of mean streak and nastiness. Boasts a rare combination of size, fluidity, and the ability to finish. Still growing as a player and trending up, having leaned out his body and gained athleticism over the past couple of years.”

Possesses as much upside as any offensive lineman out west with the potential to become an NFL Draft pick.

The Road Ahead for UCLA and Tofi

The competition for Tofi is fierce, with Oregon currently holding the upper hand. However, UCLA remains in the mix, hoping to leverage their existing relationships and the allure of their program to sway Tofi’s decision. The coming weeks will be critical as Tofi weighs his options and considers where he will ultimately commit.

As the recruitment process unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if UCLA can secure this promising talent. The outcome could have significant implications for the Bruins’ offensive line and overall team performance in the coming years.

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