UCLA Football Recruiting: 3-Star RB Brandon Stephens Commits To UCLA

UCLA football has started off National Signing Day in style, as it landed the commitment of highly coveted Texas running back Brandon Stephens.

After a whirlwind recruitment that kicked off a mere week ago, UCLA struck its first blow on National Signing Day as it landed 3-star running back Brandon Stephens (Plano, TX/Plano)

Grabbing Stephens — who garnered offers from powers like Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Texas before his initial commitment to Stanford — is an unexpected and pleasant surprise for the Bruins, given that Stephens was basically off UCLA’s radar just a week ago (as Go Joe Bruin detailed in its Final Offensive Recruiting Big Board).

Although he lacks elite speed, Stephens has a playing style that is spookily reminiscent of departed UCLA running back Paul Perkins. Stephens relies on his balance, cutting ability, patience, and vision to consistently churn out positive yardage.

Given how productive and beloved Perkins was as a Bruin, it is no wonder that new offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu and his offensive staff jumped at the chance to go after such a similar style of player in Stephens when Stephens decommitted from Stanford on January 21.

Next: Go Joe Bruin Predicts UCLA Football's 2016 Signing Day Finish

Stephens is the first of eight recruits that UCLA Football will be hoping to land on Signing Day and Bruin fans will hope that his commitment is a harbinger of things to come as the next few hours unfold.

Welcome to Westwood, Brandon!