Indiana flips 3-star LB from UCLA in latest recruiting victory for Curt Cignetti

Curt Cignetti continues to build more and more recruiting momentum for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Over the weekend, Cignetti landed a huge recruiting victory by securing a commitment from 4-star LB Jalaythan Mayfield. He is the fifth blue chip prospect to join Indiana's growing 2027 recruiting class.

Now, Cignetti has added another name of IU's 2027 class. Only this time it comes in the form of a Big Ten flip.

Indiana flips 3-star LB Cain Brackney away from UCLA

On Monday afternoon, Indiana landed a commitment from former UCLA commit Cain Brackney. The 3-star LB had been committed to Bob Chesney and the Bruins since April 24.

Brackney is a 6'2" 235-pound linebacker hailing from Boxby, OK. Playing for Bixby High School, he is ranked as the No. 77 linebacker in the country and the No. 17 overall player in the state of Oklahoma.

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This past season as a junior, he put together an impressive campaign that saw him collect 102 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and two sacks. He also forced a fumble and recorded an interception.

Brackney's decision to leave UCLA for Indiana came about quickly. Cignetti initially offered Brackney back on May 17, and less than a month later the 3-star prospect was in Bloomington for an Official Visit over the weekend of June 12. Brackney also took a visit to Michigan over the last week, but he ultimately chose to play for Cignetti and the Hoosiers.

Indiana flipping Cain Brackney takes recruiting momentum away from Bob Chesney and UCLA

The UCLA program has been among the worst in the Big Ten in recent seasons. The Bruins went out and got former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney this offseason, and after leading the Dukes to the College Football Playoff last season, he has quickly made an impact in Los Angeles.

Chesney's early moves at UCLA have the program with a different energy. Chesney was one of the hottest names on the coaching market this past cycle, and many thought his move to UCLA was surprising. His name was linked to several other Power 4 job openings at programs deemed to be in better spots for long-term success. However, Chesney seems to be setting up UCLA for plenty of success during his tenure.

So far, Chesney has landed a total of 22 commitments in the 2027 recruiting cycle, and has UCLA holding the No. 16 spot in the Rivals national recruiting rankings. For comparison, Indiana currently sits in the No. 33 spot in the same rankings.

Cignetti luring Brackney away from Chesney and the Bruins gives Indiana even more momentum and simultaneously takes some momentum away from UCLA. Cignetti and company still have plenty of work to do on the recruiting trail, but nabbing Brackney from the Bruins is a solid win for Cignetti.

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