UCLA Football Recruiting: ATH Hayden Harris commits, filling the LB void

The UCLA football team got some reinforcements at the linebacker position as little known Hayden Harris (Eastside Catholic/Sammamish, WA) has committed to the Bruins.

I may be a bit late to the party, but I am here to laud UCLA football‘s newest get, 2-star ATH Hayden Harris, who committed to the Bruins on Monday.

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Why am I lauding a 2-star? Because (1) star rankings are opinion-based nonsense, (2) this commitment helps to fill a need with the pass rush and (3) Harris is now in the hands of Chip Kelly’s staff.

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At 6’5, 225-pounds, Harris brings some size with him into Westwood. He is long and energetic, which if used correctly, could manifest into consistent attacks on defense. It is also important to note that Harris played multiple positions at Eastside Catholic, which included quarterback and wide receiver, so not only is he knowledgeable about a variety of positions, he is a very versatile individual.

What Harris lacks in speed, he makes up for in assertiveness, especially on the defensive end. When he is assigned to the line, he has no problem attacking from both the weak and strong side. On top of that, he has the know-how to hit the gaps and try to get into the backfield by shedding blocks.

With the assistance of defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro’s staff, Harris could be a solid pass rusher in a few seasons… or maybe one. From what we saw in Kelly’s first year with the program, he is not afraid to use newbies and Harris could be thrown into the fire as early as next season. UCLA is currently lacking in the pass rush and adding an experienced prospect could help build that up.

UCLA might also be in the running for JUCO transfer Datona Jackson, and if that is the case, that gives UCLA immediate help on the edge.

https://twitter.com/Hquare7/status/1074786357350825984

Welcome to Westwood, Hayden!