UCLA adds Myles Baker, flipping a former Cal pledge to its 2027 class

UCLA football added to its 2027 recruiting class on Tuesday, landing a commitment from 4-star safety Myles Baker, a defensive back from Chatsworth, California. The addition gives UCLA 23 commitments for the cycle and continues the Bruins’ emphasis on building depth and long-term starters in the secondary.

Baker’s commitment represents a notable recruiting swing. According to Saturday Tradition, Baker had originally committed to the University of California, Berkeley in March before flipping to the Bruins on Tuesday.

For UCLA, Baker’s recruitment fits a broader roster-building need: safeties who can contribute in coverage and also help manage the run game as opponents stress the back end of offenses. Adding a high-profile, out-of-state California prospect who is willing to change commitments can also matter for depth, because defensive back recruiting tends to define how quickly teams can turn talent into starting roles.

The move also places additional pressure on the in-state pipeline. Cal and UCLA often compete for similar prospects in Southern California, and flips between the two programs can carry symbolic weight as much as roster implications. Baker’s prior Cal pledge, followed by the Bruins’ late pursuit and decision, underscores how fluid recruiting outcomes can still be late in a class’s formation.

Because the available reporting centers on the commitment itself, specific details such as whether Baker changes his intended role at UCLA, how quickly he could compete, or what other positional needs influenced the decision are not confirmed in the provided information. Recruiting updates also do not always reflect a final depth chart, and commitments can be revisited as spring and summer evaluations continue.

What to watch next is whether UCLA follows this commitment with additional defensive back targets to round out the class’s safety and corner balance, and whether Cal responds in its own recruiting class to address the loss of a previously committed prospect. The next announcements will help clarify how both programs plan to manage their recruiting priorities over the rest of the 2027 cycle.