Four-Star UCLA Commit Trending Towards Flip

The Bruins' recruiting staff, led by general manager Khary Darlington, has done a fantastic job of rebuilding UCLA's 2026 class in the months following the firing of former head coach DeShaun Foster.

However, with the Early National Signing period starting on Monday, UCLA may be at risk of losing its top-rated commit, as he is trending toward flipping his commitment from the Bruins to another program.

UCLA in Danger of Losing Highest-Rated Commit

While several commits in UCLA's 2026 class decommitted from the program after Foster was fired, a few remained loyal. One of those commits is Carter Gooden, a four-star EDGE prospect from the Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts.

UCLA helmet — Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins helmets during pregame warmups before playing the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

While Gooden hasn't decommitted from the program, he has been listening to what other programs have to offer throughout the fall, taking official visits with Vanderbilt and Tennessee in the last two weeks.

His trip to Knoxville with the Volunteers came this past weekend, and afterward, he spoke with Volquest's Matt Ray. Gooden explained that his visit with Tennessee allowed him to see what the program had to offer, and that they are firmly in the race to land him.

Tennessee helme — Helmets showcase the day's matchup on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“It [Tennessee] is a great option,” Gooden told Ray. “It definitely helped because I hadn’t been here before, so I didn’t know what to think about it. It put them in the race now as well, and now I am looking at all of these schools because I have seen them all in person. I have seen them all one time and just to see how they are different.”

Although Gooden remains committed to the Bruins for now, Ray reported that he will ultimately decide on Wednesday and that he's down to UCLA, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt.

UCLA Footbal — Michigan State's Jack Velling, right, runs after a catch as UCLA's Anthony Jones attempts the tackle during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"He is now working on a short timeline to make a final decision in the coming days, as he plans to announce something on Wednesday," Ray wrote. "UCLA, Vanderbilt and Tennessee are the three finalists for him currently."

Gooden is the highest-rated commit in UCLA's 2026 class, according to Rivals' industry rankings, which list him as the No. 142 overall player nationally, the No. 16 defensive lineman, and the No. 1 prospect from Massachusetts.

Losing him would be a significant setback for the Bruins and could put them in a difficult position during the Early National Signing period. It's challenging to retain talent without a permanent head coach, and since UCLA hasn't hired one yet, Gooden's potential departure from the program is becoming increasingly likely.

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