UCLA camp: Juarez flirts with Bruins

WESTWOOD, Calif. -- There were a bunch of top prospects participating and an important group watching the UCLA Elite Skills Camp on Thursday. Here is all the latest news from camp:

Juarez works out at UCLA

Mique Juarez

The biggest news coming out of the UCLA Camp on Thursday was that five-star USC commit and the top-rated prospect in California, Torrance North's Mique Juarez, not only showed up with family and friends but also worked out with the Bruins.

Juarez is a soft commit to USC -- where he watched camp on Wednesday -- but there has been significant interest in UCLA for a while and the five-star linebacker spent a lot of time with UCLA coach Jim Mora and many others during the day.

Juarez and his entourage talked with Mora, star linebacker Myles Jack, former five-star QB Josh Rosen and many others on the field as the Bruins are obviously trying to stay in serious contention.

There has been talk of Nebraska and other schools getting in the mix, but it looks like the Juarez sweepstakes will come to a cross-town battle with USC slightly leading UCLA at this point since the five-star remains committed to the Trojans.

Ah You lands big offer

Chaz Ah You

Four-star safety Chaz Ah You, one of the top prospects in Utah for the 2017 class, landed an offer from UCLA following camp and made no attempt to hide how big it was for his recruitment.

"I'm extremely excited and blessed," he said. "I've been craving this one for a long time. ... The coaches showed me a lot of love while coaching me up. It was a lot of fun competing with all these top athletes in California."

Ah You indicated that the Bruins have moved to the top of his list. He has plans to visit Stanford at the end of July.

Holmes has serious interest

Darnay Holmes

Darnay Holmes has a lifelong relationship with UCLA defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin and that could continue to play a factor in his recruitment.

The 2017 five-star cornerback from Newbury Park, Calif., worked out at UCLA on Thursday and he also spent a lot of time just hanging out and chatting with Martin, who is a close, personal friend of Holmes' father, Darick, Sr., since those two were in high school.

Stanford remains a clear frontrunner for Holmes and the five-star prospect is planning one more trip to visit with the Cardinal later this summer. That is a major roadblock in UCLA's pursuit of Holmes, but the Bruins are definitely in it and one of the biggest reasons is because Holmes is so familiar and comfortable with Martin.

Johnson high on the Bruins

Rahyme Johnson did not participate in Thursday's camp, but he was still a newsmaker because the 2017 three-star prospect said UCLA is his No. 1 school even though the Bruins have not offered yet.

According to sources, the UCLA staff is highly intrigued with the 6-foot-4, 196-pound prospect who projects as a linebacker in college. The feeling is mutual and Johnson was spotted spending time with linebackers coach Scott White during the day.

If UCLA offers, it could be tough to beat. At this point in his recruitment, Johnson has been offered by Washington, Washington State and Utah. After a recent trip to Seattle for camps, the 2017 prospect said the Huskies definitely stand out the most.

Marchiol takes tour

Two weeks after adding UCLA to his lengthy offer sheet, Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek fast-rising outside linebacker Santino Marchiol visited campus and received a personal tour from Myles Jack. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound prospect also caught up with first-year linebackers coach Scott White and gave the Bruins rave reviews.

"UCLA was really cool," Marchiol said. "They actually told me I am No. 1 on their defensive board for 2017, and they hope to make me a high priority moving forward. That made me feel even better and I can't wait to get back at some point with my entire family so they can check it out."

Headliners show up to watch

Oregon commit Theo Howard was spotted on the sidelines keeping a close eye on the wide receivers at UCLA camp, but he said he was just there to support his cousin. The Ducks landed arguably the top WR in California, so it's no surprise the Bruins are trying to make a run at him.

Coaches were spotted talking with Howard for a while, but there's no imminent reason to think his recruitment is going to change.

Another top recruit who didn't work out but watched the goings-on was four-star offensive lineman Alex Akingbulu from Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne. Akingbulu worked out at USC on Wednesday but the Trojans have not offered yet. Many believe UCLA is the team to beat and the Narbonne stud was seen chatting with offensive line coach Adrian Klemm and others.

Hawaiian recruit takes visits

Isaac Slade-Matautia camped with Utah and Washington last week, and he dropped by USC and UCLA this week as his recruitment has picked up quite a bit since shining at the Maximum Exposure Camp in Hawaii earlier this month.

Arizona, Nebraska and the Huskies have offered the four-star inside linebacker from Honolulu St. Louis, and he's looking for the Los Angeles schools to join the chase after they see him in action this upcoming season. Slade-Matautia, one of the island's top 2017 recruits who sat out his sophomore season following a transfer, said he spoke to White on campus Thursday.

"He told me I have a lot of time to develop and he's actually looking at me," Slade-Matautia said. "In talking to him, I really liked his style and even picked up something that I'll take back with me knowing it will help me improve."

Cumber looks to impress

Christian Cumber

Three-star cornerback Christian Cumber drew a visit from Bruins assistant coach Taylor Mazzone during the evaluation period this past spring, so he reciprocated that interest by traveling to Los Angeles with the intent to show the staff his skill set.

"I think I'm definitely on their board, but I still feel like I have to make a name for myself," said Cumber, who holds early offers from Colorado and Colorado State. "I'm honored that they're giving me attention."

The 5-foot-10, 191-pound prospect from Denver (Colo.) Mullen also camped with Nebraska earlier this summer and loved the facilities. The Cornhuskers, of course, have recently done a great job of recruiting in his home state and Cumber said he is definitely interested in continuing to strengthen that relationship.

Weldon waiting on favorites

Cade Weldon

Cade Weldon worked out at USC on Wednesday and then UCLA on Thursday, but the 2017 quarterback is not in any rush to name favorites or consider top schools.

The Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson prospect will visit Georgia and South Carolina in the coming weeks, but mainly he's focused on having a big junior season before looking at frontrunners. So far, Kentucky, South Carolina, USF, Toledo and Wake Forest have offered.