BOOM! 4* ATH DeChaun Holiday Commits to UCLA Football

DeChaun Holiday is the latest pick-up for Coach Mora and the Bruins.

Four-star ATH DeChaun Holiday has announced his commitment to #UCLA.

— Edward Lewis (@EdwardLewisBSR) February 2, 2015

Holiday, from Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, CA is listed as an Athlete by Rivals and a cornerback by Scout.  Holiday comes in at 6'2" and 207 pounds.  In high school DeChaun played wideout and corner, however with his size and speed he might also get a shot at safety.  Rivals ranks DeChaun as the 5th best in his position, 102 overall nationally, and 16th in California.  Scout has DeChaun as the 11th best CB nationally, 4th CB in the west and in CA, and 76th overall.

DeChaun chose Super Bowl Sunday to make his announcement, wisely choosing UCLA over Southern Cal, Arizona State, Washington, and Oregon.  While many were looking at Holiday as a corner, according to this video from the B2G Elite Camp , UCLA coaches told him they want to play both ways (warning, the video is from across town).

Here is some video of Holiday's junior highlights (his senior hudl highlights are behind a firewall):

I am impressed by his ability to cover a lot of ground fast, his decision making, and his tight coverage on receivers.  He also makes some really nice grabs.  While we can't look at the senior tape, Todd  Huber at Student Sports has some notes from the video:

At 6-2, 195 lbs he plays wide-out on offense, where he’s got the type of game-breaking athleticism to be a threat whenever he gets the ball in his hands.  He also has the size to dominate smaller corners that try to defend him.  On defense that size and aggressive style of play are used to jam wide outs at the line of scrimmage. When you watch Holiday’s tape you see + quickness and closing speed for a big guy, which allows him to read quick routes by wide-outs.

Technically sound, Holiday displays good feet, has excellent hips and a great feel for the corner back position whether he’s playing man or in a zone scheme

In the first five games of the 2013 season he recorded five interceptions. He’s got soft hands and knows how to go up and get the ball.  So if the ball is in his vicinity, Holiday can nab it.

He’s the type of corner you want on the field at all times because of his ability to make a big play and reverse fields.

For more highlights, you can watch this video (2:27 mark) put out by Student Sports in preparation for The Opening, this from 7v7 #Utr (great catch at the 35 second mark), and some highlights from his sophmore season.

I cannot wait to see him on the field.  The way he is able to cover ground on defense (e.g. catching the opposing player on that potential touchdown run) is really exciting.  If everyone sends in their LOI's on Wednesday, this DB class (4* Holiday, 4* Stephen Jackson III, 3* William Lockett, 4* Colin Samuel, 3* Octavius Spencer) could turn out to be something really special.  Congratulations to Coach Demetrice Martin and the other coaches for bringing in this special group of talented young men.

Congratulations DeChaun and welcome to the greatest university in the world!

Go Bruins!

P.S. Congratulations to Akeem Ayers and Matthew Slater, Super Bowl Champions!