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UCLA Football Recruiting: 3-star DE Datona Jackson is a Bruin

By Mike Regalado

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 13: Keisean Lucier-South #11 of the UCLA Bruins is congratulated by teammates and head coach Chip Kelley after he interecepted a pass against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 13: Keisean Lucier-South #11 of the UCLA Bruins is congratulated by teammates and head coach Chip Kelley after he interecepted a pass against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA football team pulled out a massive flip as they were able to get 3-star defensive end, Datona Jackson after his offer was pulled from USC.

It was reported last night that 3-star defensive end Datona Jackson would be heading towards Westwood and it has now been made official as he has signed with the UCLA football program.

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According to Andrew John of USA Today, USC had pulled their offer to Jackson who looked like he was heading to the Trojans after decommitting from Colorado. Jackson had both UCLA and USC as two of his top remaining choices. So with USC backing out, it was an easy decision for Jackson to pick the Bruins.

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What is USC’s loss is UCLA’s gain.

So what are the Bruins getting from the 6’4, 265-pound product who has been playing ball at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA? A much-needed pass rusher.

UCLA lost their top edge attacker this week as Jaelan Phillips “medically retired”. Not only was he injured for most of the 2018 season, but is now transferring from the program. This put the Bruins in a particularly tough spot as they did not have a reliable pass rush from the second half of the season, or looking forward.

That changes with Jackson heading to Westwood.

One of the first things you notice about Jackson is how tenacious he is. He has decent size and speed but has the determination to make the play. Whether he is coming off the egde or right up the middle, he has a knack for pushing his way through blockers to try and get into the backfield.

He is also a very big hitter, so if he manages to get his hands on a QB or ball carrier, he will make sure they will meet the ground. Jackson has solid fundamentals and knows how to wrap up and tackle, something that will be very useful for DC Jerry Azzinaro’s still-evolving defense.

Jackson is also the first defensive lineman to sign with the Bruins for the 2019 class.

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Welcome to Westwood, Datona!