It's official:
Brandon Willis, a 6-3, 255-pound freshman defensive tackle from Duncan, SC, is now a member of the UCLA football program.
Willis has been admitted to school and has signed a statement of intent to enroll. He will join the team immediately and will redshirt this season due to his transfer from the University of North Carolina. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.
"We are very excited about Brandon joining our program," said UCLA head football coach Rick Neuheisel. "We thought the world of him a year ago as a high school senior and we feel he will be a tremendous asset to our defensive front."
Willis enrolled at North Carolina this past January and participated in Spring Practice. He left the school early in Fall camp.
You can read more about Brandon's All American prep career resulting in dozens of incredible offer here. To say this is a huge get for Coach Neuheisel would be an understatement.
We already wrote previously how this another huge boost for our DL and how this move effectively negates the Shirley/Richardson fiasco from few weeks ago. If you have never had a chance to hear from this young man here is an interview from last season as one of the more high profile national recruits:
We should also recognize the circumstances under which Willis is coming to Westwood. He has had tough family situation as he lost his Mom. One of the key reasons he is coming to Westwood is because his Dad found new employment opportunities near LA. It's a tough story but we are all going to be rooting like crazy for a beautiful ending. Especially now that Brandon is part of the extended Bruin family.
Welcome to Westwood Brandon.
GO BRUINS.