BOOM x2! UCLA Receives Two 2016 Football Verbal Commitments
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Jake Brendel (54) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA received incredible news on Sunday afternoon, as Jim Mora and his staff secured the verbal commitment of one of the elite prospects in the 2016 football recruiting class, 5-star outside linebacker Breland Brandt (Los Angeles, CA/Windward School).
Five-star 2016 OLB Breland Brandt has committed to #UCLA. Big-time pass-rusher and really nice early pickup for the Bruins.
— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) October 5, 2014
Despite 24/7 Sports’s Crystal Ball predicting that Brandt would end up at cross-town rival USC, there was always confidence in Westwood that Brandt would commit to UCLA, his professed dream school. That confidence turned out to be well-founded, as shown by today’s development.
Brandt is a consensus 5-star prospect who plays both tight end and linebacker, but is likely to make a bigger impact on the college level as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He is frequently compared to Bruin great Anthony Barr and would fill a similar role in the Bruins’ defensive scheme.
Brandt is currently a 5-star prospect in the 2016 class and a top 30 player nationally, nice early pickup for the Bruins
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) October 5, 2014
Brandt is a huge get for #UCLA, with elite athleticism as an outside linebacker/defensive end. Should be high level pass rusher.
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) October 5, 2014
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In addition to Brandt, UCLA reeled in another 2016 standout this weekend: athlete Michael Pittman (Westlake Village, CA/Oaks Christian), the son of the former Super Bowl-winning running back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned bodybuilder of the same name. The younger Pittman, much like Brandt, has also professed to being a lifelong UCLA fan and with the Bruins offering him late last week, he didn’t wait very long to pull the trigger and make his dream come true.
Given Pittman’s incredible bloodlines, one would have to be excited to see Pittman develop because all the physical tools will be there for him to become an absolute monster on whichever side of the ball he ultimately ends up.
New '16 #UCLA commit Michael Pittman is a very talented two-way player, was offered as a WR but might be an even better safety prospect
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) October 5, 2014
#UCLA lands Breland Brandt and Michael Pittman this weekend. Huge start to 2016 class.
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) October 6, 2014
The commitments of Brandt and Pittman constitute an incredible start to the 2016 recruiting class for UCLA and more is sure to come in the near future for both the 2015 and 2016 classes. Welcome to Westwood, Breland and Michael!