Takeaways from UCLA Elite Camp
WESTWOOD, Calif. – The UCLA Elite Camp was held Friday and many of the area’s top prospects were in attendance. Here are some takeaways from the event with some interesting recruiting news as well.
UCLA EMERGES FOR ADDISON
Four-star athlete Bryan Addison has added Ohio State and Michigan to his top list which also includes Arizona State, USC, UCLA, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington and Arizona.
The Gardena (Calif.) Serra recruit who projects at safety laughed when told his list is growing, not shrinking, as the summer continues.
But it sure sounds like the Bruins are the team to beat.
Addison said he loves the environment in Westwood, that he almost cried when UCLA offered and he has some family connections to the school that could help with his decision.
Visits are going to happen before Addison makes any decisions – and it’s true that a lot of top Serra talent goes to USC – but this one feels like UCLA is the team to beat.
WILLIAMS TAKING HIS TIME
Devon Williams is emerging as one of the better prospects in the West this recruiting cycle and he took an unofficial visit to UCLA on Friday, an important step as the Bruins keep working on getting his commitment.
It will take time. The four-star athlete who mainly projects as a receiver but who could also play safety said he’s nowhere near a decision and this one sounds like a National Signing Day timeline.
Spending time on UCLA’s campus was an important first step for the 6-foot-4, 196-pound four-star.
“They want me at receiver,” Williams said. “Like every school, they’d love to have me at athlete. They need some receivers coming in so that’s the main part.”
The Lancaster (Calif.) Antelope Valley star recently took visits to Alabama and Oregon and seemed to enjoy both. He said UCLA, Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and USC are the standout schools along with Colorado and Utah.
UCLA TOUGH TO BEAT FOR COOLEY
UCLA is going to be tough to beat – really tough to beat – for three-star athlete Devon Cooley, who would probably play wide receiver for the Bruins.
The Buena Park, Calif., two-way standout, who can also play defensive back, kind of talked about when, not if, he commits to UCLA but said Illinois, Washington State, Boise State, Arizona and Arizona State are still coming after him.
It’s hard to believe Cooley doesn’t end up in Westwood. A top target for the UCLA coaching staff, the three-star came out Friday to work more with the coaches and get an even better feel for the place. He said UCLA remains his leader.
“It’s always been the home school of mine so it’s a good thing to think about when I make my decision,” Cooley said.
BUELOW COULD BE SPECIAL
Julius Buelow was probably the best-looking overall prospect at the UCLA camp – and probably will be at any camp he goes to this offseason.
The 2019 four-star offensive tackle from Kapolei, Hawaii, is all of 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds, barrel-chested and really has the potential to be something special in the coming years.
Buelow said Utah and Utah State have captured his early attention but many, many more offers should be coming soon.
So far, the 2019 recruit has those two schools along with Arizona State, BYU, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA and Washington State on his offer list. USC and Cal are showing new interest.
There’s almost no question that Buelow could be a national recruit soon.
ARIAS MIGHT HAVE PAC-12 FAVORITE
Three-star wide receiver Daniel Arias made his way to UCLA along with some FSP 7on7 teammates and he definitely looked the part, making it easy to see why so many top programs are picking up on recruiting him.
He said UCLA has been kind of slower than some other programs but he would be open to hearing more from the Bruins.
At this point, Colorado could be in the lead. Fresh off successful visits to both Utah and Colorado, it seems as if the Buffaloes definitely impressed him a whole lot.
“Colorado was nice,” Arias said. “It was just unbelievable what I saw. I could definitely see myself playing there.”