Bruin Recruiting Train Moving Along: San Diego Linebacker Aaron Wallace Commits To UCLA

by Nestor on Jul 28, 2010 6:55 PM PDT in Recruiting

UCLA's recruiting under Rick Neuheisel continues to move along at a nice and methodical pace. Bruins just picked up its first commitment from the defensive side for the class of 2010. Brandon Huffman from Bruin Report Online.com reports that Aaron Wallace, the three-star linebacker from San Diego (Calif.) Rancho Bernardo, committed to our Bruins today over his Dad's alma mater Texas A&M.

Wallace becomes the 6th commitment for the class of 2011 (well he would have been 7 th but we will let Junior Pomee take his time). I thought his comments about where he envisions himself at UCLA were pretty interesting (excerpting here as the story is not behind any firewall):

"I think it will be strongside where I'll play, where Akeem Ayers is at," said Wallace. "Whatever decision he makes, I'll move accordingly, but it wouldn't be bad to have a year behind him."

Well hopefully Wallace along with the entire football program is already re-recruiting Akeem so that he does get that extra year behind perhaps the best SLB in the conference. That's a topic for another day though. Here are video highlights of Aaron:

No music, just pure football in that clip. We have a little more on the latest Bruin commit after the jump.

Wallace told Brandon his reasons for picking Bruins:

"I'm picking UCLA," said Wallace. "I really think that the academics are really good there, and being close to home and being close to my family is important. With UCLA, I really want a school that I can say I'll be proud to have gone to."

Wallace said he felt the obvious pressure of playing for A&M.

"Yeah, my dad, he wanted me to go to A&M and has been recruiting me to there," said Wallace. "But the decision was for me. I felt the pressure and he said it was always ‘Aaron Jr's decision'.

Sure wish Ray McCallum Sr. and Ernie Zeigler were thinking that way too. Oh wait, that's another sport. Never mind. Anyway, here is also a work out video that Aaron put together himself:

Besides the Aggies, Wallace was also carrying an offer from University of Washington. We are glad he is going to join us as a Bruin. Welcome to Westwood Aaron.

GO BRUINS.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Congratulations Aaron and you will always be proud to be a Bruin. We are.

Go Bruins!

by uclaluv on Jul 28, 2010 7:02 PM PDT reply actions

Seems to have a good feel for the ball.

The thing that I like the most about what saw was that he never gave up on a play

Welcome aboard Aaron.

by LongtimeBru on Jul 28, 2010 7:25 PM PDT reply actions

Welcome Aaron

He reminds me more of TE. It will be interesting where he ends up playing for the bruins. He has good speed already, but with better technique he can run faster. He has a lot of upside. Needs to work on explosive speed. Welcome Aaron.

by jaybru777 on Jul 28, 2010 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Exactly what I thought

but posters on BG think he may be the next Akeem…I indicated that the plays seemed to come to him for the most part. On the other hand, I read on the Texas A&M board that he’s been doing very well in the camp circuit. I re-watched Josh Shirley’s highlights and, understanding it’s Josh’s senior season vs. Aaron’s junior season, Shirley seemed much more explosive and made lots of tackles behind the LOS….

Big frame to work with, which is good. I was thinking he might make a good Morrell Presley F-back type player….put him in motion and let him crack some LB’s or DE’s…..

Just my opinion….and excited to have him onboard!

by Scotucla03 on Jul 28, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

He has decent speed

and a nose for the ball. I also agree with jaybru that he has room to improve his speed. I think he also needs to focus on getting some solid hits in. He does a great job containing things and never gives up, but he will need to build his strength and improve hitting technique. Most of the tackles in the reel are tie ups with the ball carrier and at times even being pushed back. I wanna see some wood getting laid, though he is an outside backer, not the middle.
He sounds like a great kid and should be a great addition, but quite likely a candidate for a redshirt. I dream of him being able to sit a year behind Ayers for a year…

by sponkey21 on Jul 28, 2010 10:58 PM PDT reply actions

2 things:

1) Though I agree that he doesn’t appear to be a big hitter, I don’t see that as a problem. Big hits are great, but tackles are better. Maybe its because its a highlight, but Wallace seems to be a pretty sure tackler. Hitting strength will develop, but good tackling technique even more important.

2) Compare the physique of Wallace in video #1 to that of Wallace in video #2. It’s clear that he has changed physically since his junior campaign, so I think we should take whatever analysis we get from that with a grain of salt.

by Captain Leebeard on Jul 29, 2010 12:45 AM PDT up reply actions

True on both points

I just feel that the difference between a good and great player is that he doesn’t just make the tackle, but also limits the number of yards gained. If he laid the wood more consistently he could tackle the ballcarrier backwards instead of letting him fall forward for an extra yard or two so consistently.
He definitely put on some muscle between the first and second video, so maybe we will see a much stronger highlight reel in a few months. I wouldn’t be surprised.

by sponkey21 on Jul 29, 2010 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions