UCLA Football Flips 4-Star LB Bo Calvert From Southern Cal to the Bruins

Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times broke the news this evening that 4-star linebacker Bo Calvert, from Oaks Christian High School, had flipped his commitment to UCLA following an official visit to the Bruins this weekend. Calvert was originally a USC commitment.

Calvert is a great prospect for UCLA to pick up at this stage. The 6’4” prospect ranks as the 18th best outside linebacker in the country, and the 31st ranked player in California, according to 247Sports composite rankings. According to various reports, new UCLA coach Chip Kelly offered Calvert a scholarship during his official visit this weekend, which sealed the deal.

Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports talked to Calvert in the aftermath of his commitment, and he had this to say:

"They day after coach Chip Kelly got on campus he gave me a call and offered me. We talked for a little while, and I really felt the love he gave me," Calvert started in. "I was the first linebacker that was offered by Kelly and they made it known how great I would fit in their system. The entire new coaching staff along with the coaches that are staying have decades of experience and know how to use athletes and how to win."

Bo Calvert is a rangy outside linebacker, with his junior year highlight video showing the ability to get to the quarterback from a DE spot, while also being solid in coverage. He’s more of a traditional OLB than the OLB/DE hybrids that UCLA employs to great effect (think Anthony Barr for an example of that). At the college level, expect Calvert to plug in at either inside or outside linebacker, depending on the needs of the defense.

Calvert is a big recruit for the Bruins. He’s currently the only linebacker recruit for the Bruins after losing a few to decommitments, and he’ll be signing this Wednesday, which takes some of the worry about potentially losing him (Utah was the other major school trying to flip him from the Trojans). This also takes a well-regarded recruit away from the Trojans, which is always a nice thing.

With Calvert’s commitment, UCLA now has 13 current recruits in the 2018 recruiting class with the new Early Signing Period opening in just over 24 hours.

Here is a highlight video of Bo Calvert courtesy of Hudl:

Welcome to Westwood, Bo!

Go Bruins!