Four-star finished with recruiting
Marcus Rios went on three official visits to UCLA, Arizona State and Nebraska and a couple other programs were pushing him but the four-star defensive back wanted to end things and said he knew the Bruins were the right fit.
"Oregon was coming in and Notre Dame offered as well but I felt UCLA was the right place," Rios said last week at the Cal State Game.
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"It's close to home, when I took the official there I loved everything about it and the new coaching staff is great. I talked to coach (Jim) Mora and coach (Demetrice) Martin seems like a really good dude. I believe their program is going to change and be successful and that's why I wanted to go there."
The 6-foot, 170-pound cornerback from Elk Grove (Calif.) Cosumnes Oaks said he kept a close watch on the coaching change at UCLA and that he was encouraged even more after talking with Mora.
His NFL and experience on the defensive side of the ball was a big deal to Rios, who's rated No. 20 at cornerback and No. 244 in the 2012 class by Rivals.com.
"That is a thing I looked at as well," Rios said. "Coach (Rick) Neuheisel was a good dude, I was going to go there whether he did or didn't get fired because I love UCLA but I believe this new staff is going to change things around.
"Coming from a defensive back's perspective, I know he does a lot with the defense so that's good for me and I know he'll make me successful. My goal is to make it to the NFL and I know he's going to push me to that goal.
"I just chose the school I know I like things other than football like the setting and where I'd be living. UCLA was the best for me."
Rios, a former Boise State commit, said he's done with recruiting even if other programs continue to recruit him. Notre Dame, Oregon and others might make some final pitches but Rios said he's heading to UCLA.
"I'm pretty much finished with it now," Rios said. "I'm happy to be a Bruin."