BOOM! 3-Star DL Jake Burton Commits To UCLA
UCLA football received its 2nd commitment of the day late Monday night as defensive lineman Jake Burton flipped from Arizona to UCLA.
Monday night brought a huge surprise for UCLA football fans as, after 4-star quarterback Devon Modster (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Tesoro) announced his commitment to become a Bruin earlier in the day, the 2016 recruiting class received an additional and unexpected shot in the arm when 3-star defensive lineman Jake Burton (El Cajon, CA/Granite Hills) announced that he was not only decommitting from Arizona, but was also committing to UCLA.
UCLA Bruins
Burton had been completely off-the-radar for most UCLA recruiting followers since the summer, as he seemed firm in the commitment he had made to Arizona over runner-up UCLA in July and was not mentioned publicly as someone UCLA would be able to flip. However, UCLA defensive line coach Angus McClure doggedly remained in pursuit of Burton since that time and was able to finally convince Burton that Westwood was the best place for him to be for the next few years of his academic and football career.
On the field, two things immediately jump off the screen with Burton: his size and his motor. A massive physical specimen at 6-feet-6-inches and 260 pounds, he absolutely towers over the vast majority of his opponents and he plays the game with a relentlessness and tenacity that will endear him to UCLA fans from day one. He also has excellent quick-twitch burst that allows him to generate momentum and power right at the snap of the ball.
Burton will need to work out a few kinks before he’ll be able to make a big impact against Pac-12 offensive lines. He isn’t the most agile athlete available in this recruiting class and he has a tendency to stand a little tall and top-heavy at a position where playing low to create leverage is key, although he considerably improved in that latter area in his senior season. Also, like most high school prospects, Burton also needs polish in terms of technique.
But Burton is someone who will definitely figure into UCLA defensive line rotations in due time. He projects very well on the next level as a run-stuffing defensive end and he adds size to a position where the Bruins have relied on lighter players like Deon Hollins and Takkarist McKinley in recent years. Given his frame, Burton could even end up as a defensive tackle in college if he adds a sufficient amount of weight.
Next: BOOM! 4-Star QB Devon Modster Commits To UCLA
While Arizona fans will be stewing about losing two players who were once committed to the Wildcats in one day to Pac-12 South rival UCLA, Bruin fans will be thrilled to be adding some more desperately-needed quality depth at two positions of need.
Welcome to Westwood, Jake!