Matt Dickerson Commits To UCLA Via The “Notre Dame Pipeline”
Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Shaquelle Evans (1) celebrates with teammates after winning the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. UCLA defeated Virginia Tech 42-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The UCLA Bruins got another commitment from four-star defensive end Matt Dickerson. He is the third four-star defensive lineman to commit to the Bruins after DT Ainuu Taua and DE Jacob Tuoiti-Mariner gave UCLA their pledge in the past month.
He was also previously committed to Notre Dame.
Great story on why four-star DL Matt Dickerson flipped from Notre Dame to #UCLA today, via @MitchMashMax: http://t.co/rJXOMePQUe
— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) January 9, 2014
Dickerson is 6’5”, 260 lbs. and is ranked #21 at his position out of Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, CA. With this flip in commitment, it solidifies a strong recruiting pipeline that has been very advantageous for UCLA recently…the “Notre Dame pipeline”.
Due to a variety of circumstances, UCLA has been able to capitalize on several players the past few years, after they were originally playing for or committed to Notre Dame. Joseph Fauria, Shaquelle Evans, and Eddie Vanderdoes are guys who have recently made the switch to the gold helmets that have the script “UCLA” on the side of it. Each one left for their own reasons, but whatever they may be, each found their own success in Westwood.
Fauria, evans, Vanderdoes and Dickerson are all from California.
According to Bleacher Report, with Dickerson, it was UCLA’s defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, Angus McClure, who was persistent with Dickerson, even after he committed to the Irish in August.
This commitment takes the Bruins into the Top 25 classes for 2014 (according to Scout.com) at #22. Currently, four other Pac-12 schools are with the Bruins in the Top 25 recruiting classes: Arizona St. (#12), Arizona (#15), USC (#19) and Oregon (#23).
Remember folks, Wednesday, February 5 is National signing day, so it is far from over for UCLA on the recruiting trail for 2014. What has already been very promising class, should get a lot more exciting in the next few weeks. Go Bruins!
*Author’s Note: “Notre Dame Pipeline” was originally conceived by alumnus, podcast host and UCLA Superfan Jacob Merrifield. Follow his wisdom on Twitter, @uclajake68.
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco