National signing day | See who UCLA and USC got

USC found itself in a two-strike hole going into national signing day Wednesday, but managed a big hit.

Coming off a season in which Steve Sarkisian was fired as coach five games into the season and Clay Helton was named permanent coach before a two-game skid to end an 8-6 year, plus a staff in flux until late January, USC still managed to sign a 20-scholarship recruiting class Wednesday that was rated 11th best in college football by Scout.com.

Previously uncommitted defensive backs Jack Jones of Long Beach Poly and Jamel Cook of Miami Central, running back Vavae Malepeai of Mililani, Hawaii, offensive lineman E.J. Price of Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer, and defensive linemen Connor Murphy of Phoenix Brophy Preparatory and Josh Fatu of Long Beach City College signed national letters of intent to round out the final seven scholarships that were unclaimed at the start of the day.

“As a head coach, I cannot tell you how proud I am of the staff for how they finished and how they closed,” said Helton, who signed players from six states. “There were several battles that were late into the night and early into the morning.”

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North Torrance High linebacker Mique Juarez announces his committment to UCLA during National signing day on Feb. 3.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Sitting in class with his phone off much of Wednesday, Breland Brandt didn’t know the excitement he was missing.

The UCLA freshman, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end from Los Angeles Windward High who is already enrolled in college in anticipation of participating in spring practice, soon found out he had plenty of company as part of the Bruins’ incoming football recruiting class.

When he turned his phone back on, “my Twitter was just blowing up,” Brandt said.

UCLA knew it had achieved recruiting success in the days leading up to the first day high school seniors were allowed to officially accept scholarship offers. But another contingent of eight players Bruins coaches had targeted were undecided heading into late Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Once he plugged back in, Brandt discovered UCLA had signed most of them. Around noon, North Torrance High’s Mique Juarez, one of the nation’s best linebackers, picked the Bruins. A few minutes later, Concord De La Salle defensive lineman Boss Tagaloa announced he too was headed to Westwood.

Of the eight, six committed to UCLA.

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As usual, national signing day had its share of theatrics. And by the end, also per usual, some of college football’s most talent-rich programs got that much richer.

While Deontay Anderson, a safety from Manvel, Texas, earned top honors for theatrics by starring in a video in which he skydived through animated cloud logos representing several schools that recruited him — including his final three of Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana State — national champion Alabama secured the top recruiting class, according to a consensus of analysts.

The Crimson Tide signed 25 players, including linebacker Ben Davis of Gordo, Ala., and running back B.J. Emmons of Morganton, N.C., the nation’s top recruits at their positions, according to Scout.com.

Other big winners: Ohio State, Florida State, Louisiana State and Mississippi, which learned it had landed Anderson when he unzipped his skydiving apparel to reveal a red Ole Miss T-shirt.

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Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh talks to fans at the school’s “Signing With the Stars” event Feb. 3.

(Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

Jim Harbaugh must be a pretty good recruiter considering how many top players he convinced Wednesday to leave sunny California for sometimes-snowy Michigan on letter of intent day.

Among the Southern California contingent joining the Wolverines are defensive back David Long from Los Angeles Loyola and receiver Dylan Crawford from Santa Margarita. Harbaugh also beat out USC and UCLA for tight end Devin Asiasi from Concord De La Salle.

“Amazing recruiter. I mean, you want to play for a genuine passionate guy,” Long said. “He has the experience and knowledge, so it’s hard not to buy in.”

It wasn’t just in California where Harbaugh showed his recruiting expertise. Defensive tackle Rashan Gary, perhaps the No. 1 prospect in the nation, signed with Michigan. He’s from Paramus Catholic in New Jersey and is 6 feet 4, 287 pounds and fast.

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USC has received a letter of intent from Jack Jones, the school announced.

Player: Jack Jones

Position: Defensive back

Height: 5 feet 11

Weight: 175

Scout rank: Five star

High School: Long Beach Poly

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Alabama and Texas A&M

Notes: Army All-American… Released a list of top five schools last spring that did not include USC, before he decided to reconsider his options… Becomes the third top player from Poly in three years to commit to USC on signing day.

USC has received a letter of intent from Josh Fatu, the school announced.

Player: Josh Fatu

Position: Defensive lineman

Height: 6 feet 3

Weight: 290

Scout rank: Three star

School: Long Beach City College

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Boise State

Notes: Was committed to Boise State when he announced his decision on signing day to attend USC.

USC has received a letter of intent from Keyshawn Young, the school announced.

Player: Keyshawn Young

Position: Receiver/cornerback

Height: 5 feet 11

Weight: 175

Scout rank: Three star

High School: Miami Senior

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Florida State, Louisville and Michigan

Notes: Young became the second player from Miami to announce he would attend USC on signing day… Defensive back Jamel Cook also is from Miami.

USC has received a letter of intent from E.J. Price, the school announced.

Player: E.J. Price

Position: Offensive lineman

Height: 6 feet 6

Weight: 325

Scout rank: Four star

High School: Archer in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Auburn and Georgia

Notes: Under Armour All-American… Second player from state of Georgia to sign with USC, after receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe.

USC has received a letter of intent from Vavae Malepeai, the school announced.

Player: Vavae Malepeai

Position: Running back

Height: 5 feet 11

Weight: 195

Scout rank: Four stars

High school: Mililani (Hawaii) High

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Oregon

Notes: Army All-American was committed to Oregon before he announced his decision on signing day to attend USC. He is the second player from Hawaii in this recruiting class to sign with USC.

USC has received a letter of intent from Jordan Iosefa, the school announced.

Player: Jordan Iosefa

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6 feet 2

Weight: 225

Scout rank: Three star

High School: St. Louis School in Honolulu

Verbally committed: June 15, 2015

Schools considered: Hawaii and Oregon State

Notes: USC offered Iosefa a scholarship after watching him participate in a camp in Hawaii, and Iosefa committed two days later. He is USC’s only player from Hawaii.

USC has received a letter of intent from Trevon Sidney, the school announced.

Player: Trevon Sidney

Position: Receiver

Height: 5 feet 11

Weight: 160

Scout rank: Four star

High School: La Puente Bishop Amat

Verbally committed: July 10, 2015

Schools considered: Notre Dame, Texas A&M and UCLA

Notes: Army All-American. USA Football Under-19 National Team. High school teammate of receiver Tyler Vaughns, who also committed to USC.

Sidney on why he chose USC: “I chose USC because it felt most at home for me and it was a childhood dream and it’s what my grandpa loved and wanted for me.”

USC has received a letter of intent from Connor Murphy, the school announced.

Player: Connor Murphy

Position: Defensive end

Height: 6 feet 7

Weight: 250

Scout rank: Four star

High School: Brophy Preparatory in Phoenix

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Alabama, Arizona State, Michigan and Oregon

Notes: Murphy made official visits to Arizona State, Michigan, Oregon and USC. His brother, Trent, played for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford.

USC has received a letter of intent from Cary Angeline, the school announced.

Player: Cary Angeline

Position: Tight end

Height: 6 feet 7

Weight: 230

Scout rank: Four star

High school: Exton (Pa.) Downingtown East

Verbally committed: June 26, 2015

Schools considered: Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame

Notes: Angeline did not make any official visits and did not host coaches from any other programs on in-home visits. His commitment was solidified when USC announced Clay Helton as permanent coach. Also played basketball

Angeline, to Scout, on why he chose USC: “At the end of the day, I definitely felt USC was the right fit for me. I felt great with the campus, the coaches and obviously the great education. USC has great football tradition and they run a pro-style offense that uses their tight ends a lot.”

USC has received a letter of intent from Tyler Vaughns, the school announced.

Player: Tyler Vaughns

Position: Receiver

Height: 6 feet 2

Weight: 170

Scout rank: Five star

High School: Bishop Amat

Verbally committed: Aug. 19, 2015

Schools considered: Alabama and Texas A&M

Notes: Army All-American… High school teammate Trevon Sidney also committed to USC

Vaughns, to scout, on why he chose USC: “USC was my first offer and the school I grew up wanting to play for.”

Offensive lineman Alex Akingbulu has signed his letter of intent with UCLA, the school announced.

Player: Alex Akingbulu

Position: Offensive lineman

Height: 6-5

Weight: 250 pounds

Scout rank: Three stars

High School: Harbor City Narbonne

Verbally committed: Nov. 26, 2015

Schools considered: UC Berkeley, Utah

Notes: Two years ago, Akingbulu was a bench player on his school’s basketball team who hadn’t played football. Told The Times, “I never thought I’d be in this position. It’s happening so fast.”… Development may require patience as he continues to learn the game and position... Skinny for offensive lineman, but recruiters think he can add weight.

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USC has received a letter of intent from Frank Martin II, the school announced.

Player: Frank Martin II

Position: Offensive lineman

Height: 6 feet 5

Weight: 285

Scout rank: Four star

High School: Santa Ana Mater Dei

Verbally committed: April 16, 2015

Schools considered: Arizona State, UCLA and Utah

Notes: Army All-American. Made an official visit to Arizona State, but never seemed to waiver on his commitment to USC. Has a Reggie Bush jersey and said he used to run the sidelines as a youngster, pretending he was the Trojans’ star running back.

Martin, to Scout, on why he chose USC: “I’ve wanted to go to USC since I was a kid. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a Trojan and be a part of that family. I’ve always loved USC, my family loves USC and this is a dream come true for all of us.”

USC has received a letter of intent from Jamel Cook, the school announced.

Player: Jamel Cook

Position: Defensive back

Height: 6 feet 4

Weight: 185

Scout rank: Four star

High School: Miami Central in Miami

Committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Florida State

Notes: Army All-American. … Was committed to Florida State before he announced his decision on signing day to attend USC.

Alongside rapper Snoop Dogg, Long Beach Poly defensive back Jack Jones announced that he would sign with USC.

Jones, 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, is a five-star recruit, according to Scout.com.

He chose the Trojans over Alabama and Texas A&M.

Jones is USC’s 20th, and likely final, commitment in the 2016 class.

De La Salle tight end Devin Asiasi announced Wednesday that he would sign with Michigan and teammate Boss Tagaloa announced he would sign with UCLA.

Asiasi and Tagaloa, a defensive lineman, each made an official visit to USC last weekend.

They also visited Michigan, UCLA and Washington together, which makes it somewhat surprising that they decided to split up, but, package deals rarely pan out in recruiting.

North Torrance star Mique Juarez has signed with UCLA.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

For the fourth year in a row, the Los Angeles Times player of the year has signed with UCLA.

In 2013 it was receiver Thomas Duarte. The next year it was defensive back Jaleel Wadood. Then quarterback Josh Rosen.

Now, it’s linebacker Mique Juarez of North Torrance High, who signed with the Bruins on Wednesday.

Juarez is UCLA’s only five-star recruit in 2016. By midday Wednesday, before Juarez’s commitment, UCLA’s class was ranked ninth in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-12 Conference, according to Scout.com.

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Boss Tagaloa, has committed to UCLA, he announced on Wednesday.

Player: Boss Tagaloa

Position: Defensive lineman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 300

Scout rank: Four stars

High School: Concord (Calif.) De La Salle High

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: California, Michigan, USC, Washington

Notes: Rated the No. 1 defensive tackle in the West by Scout.com. ...Big, physical lineman with the ability to play immediately... UCLA needs replacement for Kenny Clark, a role that may not be filled by one player. Tagaloa could be in the mix to see some of those snaps.

High school teammate Boss Tagaloa will decide next.

Mique Juarez of Torrance, the No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 8 overall prospect in the country, signed with UCLA. Here is the Scout.com evaluation of Juarez:

MIQUE JUAREZ

Position: Outside linebacker

Height: 6 feet 2

Weight: 235 pounds

40 time: 4.69 seconds (unverified)

High school: Torrance North

Scout rating: Five stars

Scout national ranking: 8

Scout national position ranking: 1

Official visits: BYU (Jan. 29), Alabama (Jan. 22), Oklahoma (Dec. 12), Washington (Dec. 7), Mississippi (Nov. 21).

Signed with: UCLA

Evaluation: “Juarez is the top linebacker in the country and one of the best to come out of the West in some time. He’s one of those rare athletes who probably could play just about any position on the field and be very good at it. He’s athletic enough to play running back and was his team’s quarterback the past two seasons. As a linebacker, he shows toughness, the ability to blitz, play in space and is strong in coverage. He plays on the edge and is one of those players you just never feel comfortable playing against. He’s an extremely physical player who loves to hit and plays with a ton of emotion. Despite putting on almost 15-20 pounds in the last year, he can still really run, change direction and has a great closing burst to the ball. He should be an immediate impact player in college.” (Greg Biggins, Scout.com)

Strengths: Aggressiveness, hitting ability, speed.

Areas to improve: Shedding ability.

Scout.com profile page: https://www.scout.com/player/187996-mique-juarez

Scout.com player videos: https://www.scout.com/player/187996-mique-juarez/videos?year=2015

Mique Juarez will play for the Bruins.

(Lindsey Thiry / For The Times)

Mique Juarez has committed to UCLA, he announced on Wednesday.

Player: Mique Juarez

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-2

Weight: 225 pounds

Scout rank: Five stars

High School: North Torrance High

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Alabama, Brigham Young, Mississippi

Notes: UCLA’s most highly-rated recruit… Figures to make an immediate impact at one of UCLA’s thinnest position... Widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, outside linebacker in the 2016 class... All-around athlete who would fit at multiple positions, which may remind UCLA fans of former Bruin Myles Jack.

USC is doing well with out-of-state recruits.

Offensive lineman E.J. Price from Archer High in Lawrenceville, Ga., announced he would sign with the Trojans

Price, 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, also was considering Georgia and Auburn.

He is a four-star recruit, according to Scout.

USC has one unclaimed scholarship available.

UCLA has missed out on its first undecided recruit on signing day. Four-star linebacker/wide receiver Aaron Hansford announced he was committing to Texas A&M.

UCLA has announced the signing of Baldwin Park offensive lineman Francisco Perez, who committed to the Bruins earlier Wednesday.

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St. John Bosco defensive back talks about how he made it to college

They set up a podium in the gym at St. John Bosco on Wednesday morning for national signing day. Students sat in the bleachers. Parents sat in chairs on the gym floor. Nine signees sat behind a covered table with name cards letting everyone what school they would attend. Each signee was invited to say a “few words.”

When defensive back Mykal Tolliver stepped to the podium wearing a lei around his neck (he’s headed to Hawaii), he brought with him three pages from a spiral notebook for a speech that he had spent hours working on. For more than 15 minutes, he gave an emotional talk that put into perspective what signing day really means.

“I’m not usually good at talking,” he said.

Then he talked and talked and talked.

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USC came up short in an effort to sign Arizona Western College defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo III, who announced he would attend Tennessee.

Kongbo, the top-rated junior college recruit, according to Scout.com, made an official visit to USC last month and also received a visit from Coach Clay Helton and defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze.

He was committed to Tennessee before he received several offers last month and withdrew his commitment, but ended up sticking with the Volunteers.

Francisco Perez has committed to UCLA, he announced Wednesday.

Player: Francisco Perez

Position: Offensive lineman

Height: 6-3

Weight: 300

Scout rank: Three stars

High School: Baldwin Park

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: UC Berkeley

Notes: Flipped from UC Berkeley commit on Wednesday… Projects as a guard… Rated the No. 3 guard in California by Scout.com.

Keyshawn Young from Miami Senior High announced Wednesday that he would sign with USC, the Miami Herald reported.

Young, who can play receiver and defensive back, was the second recruit from Miami to commit to USC on national signing day, joining defensive back Jamel Cook, who was previously committed to Florida State.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Young is a three-star recruit, according to Scout.

USC has two scholarships remaining.

The consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2016 class, Rashan Gary, announced on ESPN that he would sign with Michigan.

Gary, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive tackle, made an official visit to USC last month with his mother.

Connor Murphy of Phoenix, the No. 230 overall prospect in the country, signed this morning with USC. Below are comments he made to Scout’s Jason Jewell, as well as data and further analysis.

“I committed to USC. I actually did it Sunday night,” Murphy said. “I called Coach [Clay] Helton and told him. USC just fits my personality. I love the new staff. Coach Helton is a great guy, and coach [Clancy] Pendergast is my kind of person.”

“Yes, the football is great, but there was more to it. The degree from USC is huge. Their alumni support will really help me out after I graduate.”

Many have speculated what position Murphy will play in college. Is he a defensive end? Is he an outside linebacker? The Trojans can see him at either spot.

“Coach Pendergast says I am going to start out as a true outside linebacker,” Murphy said. “As I get bigger, because I am already bigger than most outside linebackers and am only going to grow in college, he will move me down and play defensive end. I think I have a chance to come in and play right away. It all just depends on how bad I want it. I know if I want it bad enough that I can go in and earn playing time.”

USC, Michigan, Arizona State, Oregon and Alabama were Murphy’s finalists but most thought Michigan would be his landing spot because of Jim Harbaugh and his relationship with the Murphy family.

“That phone call was really tough,” Murphy said. “It was really awkward. It was almost like breaking up with a girlfriend. Coach Harbaugh was upset and tried to swing me to them, but I just didn’t feel the same way about Michigan as I did about USC. He was upset but supportive.”

Murphy said USC gave him a “different feeling.”

“When I was on my official visit at USC, I just did not want to go home. I wanted to stay. I wanted to go to school and I wanted to practice,” he said. “I did not feel that way at the other schools. The visits were great, but at the end, I was ready to go home. I couldn’t say that about any of the other schools.”

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CONNOR MURPHY

Pos: Defensive End

Ht/Wt: 6 feet 7, 250 pounds

40 time: 5.1 seconds (verified)

High school: Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix)

*Rating: Four stars

*National ranking: 230

*National position ranking: 27

*Rating/Ranking by Scout.com

Official visits: Arizona State (Jan. 29), Michigan (Jan. 22), USC (Jan. 15), Oregon (Nov. 21)

Evaluation: “Great looking prospect from a physical standpoint. Has all of the tools to be a big time player. Is tall, long, has good strength and can run. Still developing and raw physically but the future is bright as he continues to grow. Could potentially play DT, DE or even OT.“ (Jason Jewell, Scout.com).

Strengths: Size, strength

Needs to improve: Techniques and moves

Scout.com profile page

Scout.com player videos

This commitment came out of the blue.

Defensive lineman Josh Fatu from Long Beach City College announced he will sign with USC, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported.

Fatu, 6-feet-3 and 270 pounds, was committed to Boise State.

He is a three-star recruit, according to Scout.

USC’s recruiting class was ranked No. 23 in the country Tuesday night, according to Scout.com

With the addition of three players Wednesday morning -- defensive back Jamel Cook, running back Vavae Malepeai and defensive end Connor Murphy -- the Trojans have moved up to No. 17.

And it could get better.

Jack Jones, a five-star recruit from Long Beach Poly, is expected to announce his decision to sign with USC on Wednesday afternoon.

Connor Murphy announced that he will sign with USC.

The 6-foot-7, 250-pound defensive end from Brophy Preparatory in Phoenix chose the Trojans among Arizona State, Michigan and Oregon.

He made an official visit to USC last month and hosted coaches for an in-home visit.

Murphy is a four-star recruit, according to Scout.

USC has four remaining scholarships.

Vavae Malepeai, a running back from Mililani High in Hawaii, announced he would sign with USC, despite making a commitment to Oregon last June, Honolulu’s KHON-TV reported.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Malepeai is a four-star recruit, according to Scout.

USC has five remaining scholarships.

Brandon Stephens, has committed to UCLA, he announced on Wednesday.

Player: Brandon Stephens

Position: Running back

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 200

Scout rank: Four stars

High school: Plano (Texas)

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Texas A&M, USC

Notes: Talented all-around runner who is quick without elite top-end speed. Second year in a row UCLA and assistant coach Adrian Klemm have gotten a highly rated running back from Plano. Last year, UCLA signed five-star Soso Jamabo of Plano West.

Crespi defensive end Marcus Moore celebrates a fumble recovery against Orange Lutheran on Sept. 4.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Crespi’s Marcus Moore has signed with UCLA, he announced at a ceremony at his school.

Hunter Mandel sounded excited. Speaking to The Times last week, the Bleacher Report producer was trying to describe some of the surprise video announcements he had in store for national signing day.

But he couldn’t ruin the surprise.

“I can’t tell you,” Mandel said. “On the record, let me think ... No, I can’t, I’m sorry.”

So what video was he thinking of? It might have been this:

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Kicker Quinn Nordin from Rockford, Mich., announced Wednesday morning that he would sign with Michigan.

Nordin made an official visit to USC last weekend after he decommitted from Penn State.

He was one of a few recruits who hosted Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh for a buzzed-about sleepover home visit.

Nordin is a four-star recruit, according to Scout.

UCLA has received a letter of intent from Michael Alves, the school announced.

Player: Michael Alves

Position: Offensive lineman

Height: 6-5

Weight: 320 pounds

Scout rank: Three stars

High School: San Diego St. Augustine

Verbally committed: Nov. 16, 2015

Schools considered: Boston College, Oregon

Notes: Rated one of the top guards in California. Brings impressive size as a freshman. Played guard in high school but has told reporters he can play tackle too.

Jamel Cook of Miami, the No. 3 overall safety prospect in the country, changed his commitment and signed with USC on Wednesday. He’d previously been committed to Florida State.

JAMEL COOK

Pos: Safety

Ht/Wt: 6 feet 4, 185 pounds

40 time: 4.57 seconds (unverified)

High School: Miami (Fla.) Central

*Rating: Four stars

*National Ranking: 50

*National Position Ranking: 3

*Rating/Ranking by Scout.com

Official Visits: USC (Jan. 29), Louisville (Jan. 16), Auburn (Oct. 31).

Committed to: USC.

Evaluation: “What can Cook not do? When you pop his game tape on, he is everywhere, making play after play. Then you see him live and realize how tall, how rangy, how quick, and how athletic he really is. Likely a free safety on the next level and he has closing speed and ball skills. Could project as a wide receiver too. He’s always in the place to make a play. He goes hard, plays fast, and just a versatile athlete on the football field.“ (Corey Bender, Scout.com).

Strengths: Body control, hands, size.

Needs to Improve: Backpedal quickness.

Scout.com Profile Page: https://www.scout.com/player/192155-jamel-cook

Scout.com Player Videos: https://www.scout.com/player/192155-jamel-cook/videos?year=2015

Adewale Omotosho has committed to UCLA, he announced Wednesday.

Player: Adewale Omotosho

Position: Receiver

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 190

Scout rank: Four stars

High School: Plano East (Texas)

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Notes: Big, athletic receiver with the ability to stretch the field. Caught 33 passes for 621 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season.

St. John Bosco quarterback Quentin Davis took over for Josh Rosen last season.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

Quentin Davis, the successor to Josh Rosen at quarterback for St. John Bosco, signed with Fresno State.

He had better statistics than Rosen in his senior year.

Davis completed 70% of his passes for 3,612 yards and 40 touchdowns with four interceptions.

Player: Tre Polamalu

Position: Defensive back

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 170

Scout rank: Two stars

High school: St. Francis

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Notes: Son of UCLA offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu. Will be a scholarship athlete. Has experience as a dual-threat quarterback. Transferred from Loyola in 2015.

Player: Ryan Boehm

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230

Scout rank: Two stars

High school: Temecula Great Oak

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Notes: Told The Times he’ll be a preferred walk-on. Had committed to Cal Poly before withdrawing on Wednesday to play for the Bruins. Was named a linebacker to watch by The Times before his senior season.

It’s a big day for new UCLA offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu.

His son, Tre, a senior at La Cañada St. Francis, is signing a letter of intent with UCLA.

The younger Polamalu played safety for St. Francis this past season after transferring from Loyola, where he was a quarterback.

Defensive back Jamel Cook from Miami Central High in Miami announced his decision Wednesday morning to sign with USC.

Cook, 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, had been verbally committed to Florida State for a year.

He is the second defensive back to commit to USC’s 2016 class, joining C.J. Pollard, who already is enrolled for the spring semester.

Cook is a four-star recruit, according to Scout.com.

Westlake receiver Theo Howard is the most highly regarded of UCLA’s early signees.

(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)

As of Tuesday, the day before signing day, UCLA’s recruiting class had earned the No.10 ranking in the country, according to Scout.com. That’s the best in the Pac-12 Conference.

The Bruins are awaiting a number of high-profile decisions, plus signed letters from their verbal commitments, but there will be no drama surrounding eight players who have already signed letters of intent.

Among them are one of the best receivers in the West, one of the best kickers anywhere and a pair of talented brothers.

Click here to see the players>>

The running back signed with UCLA. From scout.com:

BRANDON STEPHENS

Position: Running Back

Ht/Wt: 6-foot-0.5, 200 pounds

40 time: 4.7 seconds (verified)

High school: Plano (Texas) Senior High

*Rating: Four stars

*National Position Ranking: 26

*Rating/Ranking by Scout.com

Evaluation: “Stephens is a high-major running back prospect who possesses a well-rounded game. He has a good frame with growth potential to be a truly big back at the college level. He is an instinctive runner who makes defenders miss in tight quarters despite tall, long frame and generally longer stride. He shows foot quickness to vary gait and allow change of direction, and plants and cuts decisively. He’s not a burner, but possesses adequate speed, especially for frame.“ (Gabe Brooks, Scout.com).

Strengths: Balance, cutback ability, foot quickness.

Needs to Improve: Breakaway speed.

Scout.com Profile Page: https://www.scout.com/player/188076-brandon-stephens

Scout.com Player Videos: https://www.scout.com/player/188076-brandon-stephens/videos?year=2015

Brandon Stephens, has committed to UCLA, he announced Wednesday.

Player: Brandon Stephens

Position: Running back

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 200

Scout rank: Four stars

High School: Plano (Texas)

Verbally committed: Feb. 3, 2016

Schools considered: Texas A&M, USC

Notes: Talented all-around runner who is quick without elite top-end speed. Second year in a row UCLA and assistant coach Adrian Klemm have gotten a highly-rated running back from Plano. Last year, UCLA signed five-star Soso Jamabo of Plano West.

— Zach HelfandUCLA has received a letter of intent from Austin Kent, the school announced.

Player: Austin Kent

Position: Punter

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 210 pounds

Scout rank: Three stars

High School: Charlotte (N.C.) Providence

Verbally committed: Dec. 17, 2015

Schools considered: Clemson

Notes: Rated the No. 2 punter in the class by special teams guru Chris Sailer. Joins a wave of special-teams recruits, including early signee J.J. Molson, the No. 2 kicker in the class. Matt Mengel, a senior last season, was inconsistent at times; he ranked 88th in the nation in average punt distance, at 40 yards per punt.

Oaks Christian receiver Michael Pittman is wide open for a touchdown during a game against Westlake Village on Oct. 23.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC finished with a top-rated recruiting class in 2015.

This year, the Trojans’ history of fast closes aside, it seems like a long shot that the program will finish in the top 10.

On the eve of signing day, when recruits make their commitments official, USC has commitments from 13 players, including seven who have enrolled in spring semester courses.

The class, with seven scholarships unclaimed, is ranked 23rd in the country and fourth in the Pac-12 Conference, according to Scout.com.

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North Torrance High linebacker Mique Juarez will announce his committment to a school on National signing day with a music video on Feb. 3.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Using a live animal was out.

Been done.

Another football recruit had used a bulldog to announce he’d signed with Georgia. And then there was the recruit from Ohio who used a dwarf caiman — closest thing he could find to an alligator, which aren’t legal in Ohio — to illustrate his choosing Florida.

A crazy haircut was a no-go too. One recruit shaved “Vols” into his head to signal Tennessee.

Jimmy Clausen killed the Hummer limousine announcement back in 2006, so that wasn’t an option either.

By last year, when Long Beach Poly High football player Iman Marshall sought a special way to announce his choice of USC, he had to be creative. So Marshall teamed up with Bleacher Report to make a slickly produced music video.

The video, shot in part by using drones, featured shots of Marshall all over Los Angeles. The project took several days.

At the end, Marshall, whose nickname is “Biggie,” stood in the shadow of the L.A. Coliseum, wearing a USC hat.

“Biggie wanted to change the game,” said Hunter Mandel, a producer for Bleacher Report who helped conceive the video. “That’s what he said before shooting. That’s what he said during shooting. That’s what he said after shooting.”

Early indications are that he did. This year, Mandel said, Bleacher Report will release up to 15 more videos on or before Wednesday’s national signing day.

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North Torrance High School linebacker Mique Juarez will announce his college committment on National signing day on Feb. 3.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

If college football recruiting was compared to a horse race, USC might typically be illustrated by Traveler busting loose from the middle of the pack and flying past the field down the stretch.

The Trojans have annually been fast closers on national signing day, even when NCAA sanctions limited the size of their class.

USC closed strong enough last year that it had the nation’s top-rated recruiting contingent, according to some assessments.

But by the close of business Wednesday — the first day high school seniors can sign letters of intent for football — expect a new national recruiting champion. And a new leader in Los Angeles as well.

UCLA has 23 commitments and the top-rated class in the Pac-12 Conference, No. 10 nationally, according to Scout.com.

And if some last-minute announcements go their way — and they could — the Bruins’ ranking will only improve.

As of Tuesday, there were at least five highly rated recruits who were still considering UCLA, USC or both, and had not announced a choice.

See the list>>