As charnaw noted in the fanshot section Georgia running back Keyante Green (5-9, 190) committed to UCLA. Let's go to the YT highlights right away:
Justin Hopkins has the details on 247Sports.com:
"I'm really excited to be a Bruin," Green said. "I'm fired up about coach (Jim) Mora and coach (Adrian) Klemm. They both seem like great coaches and I'm confident in the direction they are leading the program."
Despite the verbal pledge, Green did not eliminate future visits.
"I don't want to say I'm a hard commit or a soft commit, somewhere in between I guess," he said. "I know I'm going to take other visits and consider some other schools. South Carolina and Florida State are just a couple that come to mind. But I consider myself a Bruin and it's where I want to be."
UCLA was able to capitalize on prized quarterback Eddie Printz Jr in mid-January. The relationship between Green and Printz was a notable factor in his decision.
"I spent a lot of time with Eddie at the Rising Seniors bowl game and we connected. I really like him and his ability to lead. That wasn't the reason I committed but it helped. I'm just fired up to be a part of this class and I'm hoping we can get out there and recruit some more guys."
Green becomes the third commit for the class of 2013, joining fellow Georgian Printz Jr, and Southern California bluechipper Dashon Hunt. His offer-sheet includes offers from powerhouse programs such as tOSU, FSU, both major Georgia schools, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. I have a feeling his recruiting is not over yet because I don't see those schools letting up just because he "committed" to UCLA.
The AJC has a little more on the Green story noting he had tried to "commit" to Georgia two weeks ago (HT Bellerophon):
What about UGA? Green said he was offered by the Bulldogs two years ago as a freshman and called a couple of weeks ago to commit to UGA. "They told my coach that they couldn't honor my commitment because they had Derrick Henry out of Yulee, Fla., and that they could sign only one running back for the 2013 class. They said they could only sign one because they weren't expecting to get two out of North Carolina for 2012 (Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley). They are only going to sign one for 2013, so they weren't able to take me."
How did Green feel about UGA's response when he tried to commit? "I mean, it's not their fault. They already had two guys signed and another junior committed with Derrick Henry. I guess it wasn't meant to be. It's no big deal."
What about Georgia Tech? "It was too close to the house. I could've seen myself playing there. Everything was great about Georgia Tech with the coaches, the football program and the academics. It was just too close to the house."
This past season, Green rushed for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns while leading ECLA to the Class A semifinals. Green, who missed five games with an injury, also played defense and finished with 104 tackles, including 21 for losses and 6 sacks.
For those who are craving YT highlights we got more to share:
#1 Keyante Green / RB / Eagles Landing 2013.avi (via gamechangerrs)
There is some more in this video from about a year ago. in mind that majority of these video highlights tend to be a little .. uhm ... embellished. It's all good though. On paper and in video he looks like a great pickup. So welcome to Westwood KG and hope you stick with us through your senior season.
Green's commitment will only add to the momentum Mora and his staff have built in the recruiting trail last few months. Now, if Mora can get it done on the field this upcoming season by taking advantage of the soft schedule and having the Trojans at home, Bruin recruiting will only get hotter, resulting in most likely a top-5 class for UCLA next season.
GO BRUINS.