Jason Fraychineaud
Per Scout's Brandon Huffman late Friday night, UCLA received a commitment from 2012 RB Tairen Owens from Muir High School in Pasadena.
This commit is interesting for a couple reasons. Owens is the 2nd Washington commit to switch over to UCLA. His main recruiter is new DBs coach Demetrice Martin. Martin (an alum of Muir himself) had a great relationship and extended the offer Wednesday night. Owens decided to stay home and become a Bruin.
Owens at 5'9 165 is absolutely ELECTRIC with the ball in his hands. He ultimately could play a Jamal Miles type role for UCLA with the new spread offense run by OC Noel Mazzone. Owens will definitely bring quickness, speed, and YAC ability to a UCLA team that sorely lacking in every category. More than likely he'll also return punts (and UCLA fans can rejoice at the graduation of Taylor Embree and his 'fair catches'/fumbles).
This commitment represents and illustrates a philosophical change by the staff. As opposed to bringing in kids set at one position, they are effectively bringing in kids that are athletes first and foremost. Bring in a kid with great speed and figure out the position later. Owens has qualities that no other Bruin has (except possibly Jordon James). You can bet he will be utilized on screens, swing passes, reverses, and as a 3rd down change of pace back.
Also of note, his high school teammate and good friend is the highly regarded CB Kevon Seymour. Although Seymour will announce this morning at the USAAAB for most likely Cal or USC, UCLA is a dark horse and should not be counted out. Many kids are getting pressured to announce for ratings and won't actually stick with the school they pick tomorrow. Also some kids just like the attention. But multiple kids that pick a hat this morning will be visiting UCLA (and will keep UCLA in contention despite public proclamations saying otherwise). Those kids include Brian Nance, Ellis McCarthy, Jordan Payton, and Seymour. All 4 will still visit UCLA and the Bruins have good shots at landing each of those kids.
Here is a highlight video of Owens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJXiJMzcPQM