Duece Jones-Drew, son of MJD, commits to UCLA

Field Level Media|published: Sun 3rd May, 22:27 2026

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs for 56 yards as he breaks the team's single season rushing yard record just over 5 minutes into the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts on January 1, 2012. It was also the final game for the former owners of the Jaguars Wayne Weaver and Delores Barr Weaver. [Kelly Jordan/Florida Times-Union] Spt 04jagscoltskj010

Rising senior Duece Jones-Drew will be following in his father's footsteps, as the three-star running back announced his commitment to UCLA on Sunday.

Jones-Drew's father is Maurice Jones-Drew, who was a unanimous All-American at UCLA in the early 2000s before going on to star in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Duece Jones-Drew will be a part of the 2027 class for the Bruins. The De La Salle High School (Concord, Calif.) product is a composite three-star in the 247 rankings and was heavily pursued by Arizona, Cal, SMU and Utah before choosing UCLA.

UCLA's coaching staff turnover didn't end up dissuading Jones-Drew, who committed to new head coach Bob Chesney in part thanks to the retention of running backs coach A.J. Steward, who held the same role under DeShaun Foster a season ago.

Chesney took over the Bruins following a playoff appearance as head coach of James Madison in 2025.

The elder Jones-Drew, nicknamed "MJD," recorded three Pro Bowl seasons with the Jaguars in eight seasons before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2014. He led the league in rushing with 1,606 yards in 2011, the same year he was named first-team All-Pro.

--Field Level Media

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