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Perkins makes Pac-12 decision

UCLA does not have a coach but the Bruins have landed a new running back in three-star Paul Perkins, who committed to the Pac-12 school on Sunday night.
Perkins, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect from Chandler, Ariz., recently visited UCLA and said everything felt right about the place. He decided to make his commitment even though the Bruins have not yet replaced coach Rick Neuheisel, who was fired about one week ago.
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"I really like the campus and the guys that I met when I was up there on my visit," Perkins said. "It just feels right up there.
"I'm not worried (about the coaching situation) at all. I'm putting it all in God's hands right now and I think everything will be OK."
Perkins, rated as the No. 54 athlete in the 2012 class by Rivals.com, rushed for 1,297 yards and 20 touchdowns on 139 carries this season and he was also valuable on defense and special teams. Chandler finished 8-4 and lost to powerhouse Chandler Hamilton in the playoffs.
Perkins said UCLA recruited him to play running back and that was a big factor in his decision-making process because that's the position he loves to play.
"It's fun because I know that position," Perkins said. "I've been playing that position for so long so I'm really looking forward to it."
Air Force, Colorado, Fresno State, New Mexico, Northwestern, Wyoming and Montana had also offered Perkins, a friend of UCLA freshman quarterback Brett Hundley, who also attended Chandler.
It was actually Hundley's father who first alerted Neuheisel about Perkins and his wide array of abilities and ever since the Bruins offered they emerged as a favorite. It ended this weekend with his commitment.
"Brett's dad called coach Neuheisel and they offered me and then they got me up there on a visit and it snowballed from there," Perkins said.
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