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BOOM! 4-Star Linebacker Roquan Smith Commits To UCLA

By Michael Hanna

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Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Making a decision that will send shockwaves throughout the recruiting world and cheers throughout the Morgan Center, 4-star linebacker Roquan Smith (Montezuma, GA/Macon County) committed to UCLA on ESPNU’s Signing Day Special telecast over longtime favorite and local power Georgia. Smith is the 4th player to commit to UCLA on ESPNU’s nationally televised show today and is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most surprising commitment of the lot.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

No recruiting expert thought that UCLA had even a slight chance to sign Smith. It made sense that a Southern kid from out in the country would choose to play closer to home than traverse the country to Westwood, CA.  However, news leaked out after his official visit to Westwood last weekend that he had “silently” committed to Jim Mora, Jeff Ulbrich, and the rest of the UCLA staff while he was on that visit and the possibility of a Smith commitment suddenly became very real. Make no mistake: landing the commitment of Smith, a consensus 4* recruit from rural Georgia who is rated the #1 inside linebacker in the country by Scout.com, is a monumental coup for UCLA and a tremendous feather in the cap of Ulbrich, who was Smith’s primary recruiter.

UCLA was the first school to offer Smith (two whole years ago) and he has maintained high interest in the Bruins throughout the recruiting process, mainly due to his extremely close bond with UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Smith is an outstanding inside linebacker prospect who many have compared to a smaller version of current UCLA LB/RB/dreamboat/global icon Myles Jack in terms of his skillset. He’s a rangy sideline-to-sideline linebacker who is a tremendous athlete and will excel in coverage and open space.

Welcome to Westwood, Roquan!