Auwae backs off UCLA pledge

Toleafoa Auwae visited Vanderbilt earlier this month and, after mulling his position for a week, decided to back off his verbal commitment to UCLA on Monday.

The three-star center from Kapolei, Hawaii, said he still hopes to visit the Bruins, but thought it would be best to re-open his recruitment to continue assessing all options.

The earlier trip to see the Commodores, though, appears to have altered his plans.

Glory to God pic.twitter.com/HlhdONJtNp— Toleafoa Sean Auwae (@Smcmoore76) November 23, 2015

IN HIS WORDS: "This had to due with me just making sure it's the right choice overall," Auwae told Rivals.com. "Hopefully I still visit UCLA. I don't have any other visits officially planned yet -- Louisville is in the works.

"Coach (Adrian) Klemm was good about it. He wished me the best and said I was a great dude. Utah and Washington State are two others I'm looking at for visits, too. Vandy has been recruiting me hard. I'm going to take all four remaining visits and then come up with the right decision. Hopefully I can get one in December before then the rest in January."

WHAT'S NEXT?: Auwaue, the No. 4-rated prospect on the island, is set to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in January. The potential visits would happen following the dead period that ends about three weeks before National Signing Day. With Auwae no longer a part of the recruiting class, the Bruins might have to continue their search for more offensive linemen in this class, particularly since Michael Alves is the only other line prospect on board.

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