Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Football Recruiting: 5-Star Linebacker Mique Juarez Commits To UCLA

By Michael Hanna

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

UCLA Football has landed the undisputed crown jewel of its 2016 recruiting class, as linebacker Mique Juarez committed to the Bruins on National Signing Day.

Since the spring of 2015, UCLA’s football coaches have had one goal above all others in the 2016 recruiting class: land the commitment of Mique Juarez (Torrance, CA/North), the 5-star linebacker who eventually rose to become the top overall recruit in the state of California. The UCLA coaches can now consider their big mission to be accomplished, as Juarez announced his commitment to the Bruins on National Signing Day.

Following up on an absolutely remarkable junior season in which Juarez basically played every possible position under the sun to a very high level, Juarez elevated himself to a consensus 5-star linebacker prospect who draws constant comparisons to Myles Jack. And his senior season has only amplified the belief that Juarez is destined for superstardom at the college level, as he was a two-way force at quarterback and linebacker for North High School:

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

As we have long mentioned, Juarez is the rare Southern California blue-chip recruit who grew up in a household of UCLA (as opposed to USC) diehard fans and that fact made landing him even more of a necessity, because elite players with Juarez’s college loyalties are not found too often in the Southland. 

The Bruins, who were long considered the favorites to land Juarez, had to hold off the hard charge of two SEC schools, Alabama and Ole Miss, to land him. But with a Bruin family in his corner and a year’s worth of nonstop love from the Bruin coaches, UCLA seemed like the most logical landing spot for him and so it proved to be the case.

Juarez’s commitment provides a capstone to what has become a very fruitful 2016 recruiting class for UCLA. Bruin fans can look forward to seeing Juarez in action from the moment he enrolls at UCLA, as he will be part of the team for spring practice and is a top contender to be a starter when the Bruins open their 2016 season on September 3, 2016 at Texas A&M.

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

Welcome to Westwood, Mique!