UCLA Football Recruiting: Denzel Fisher Commits to the Bruins

Nobody ever said that football coaches should take it easy on a bye week, and going by today's recruiting news, the UCLA coaches won't be getting pegged with that reputation anytime soon. The Bruins have picked up a second verbal commitment today: Compton Centenial defensive back Denzel Fisher shared the news just a bit ago that he will be a Bruin!

Just committed to Ucla !! Lets gooooo #Bruinnation pic.twitter.com/ZgYYdvA0Ui

— Denzel Fisher (@DenzelFish) September 4, 2013

Denzel has been a bit of a late bloomer, not emerging as a high-level prospect until attending this spring's Nike camp in LA, ending that weekend being named as the camp's most valuable DB. Some notes from that weekend via studentsports.com.

DB: Denzel Fisher, Centennial (Compton, Calif.)
Results: Did not test
Breakdown: Fisher emerged Sunday as a diamond in the ruff, a long-armed and rangy-type safety body with cornerback feet and hips that made plays throughout the day to earn DB MVP honors. Looked solid in position specific drills and during the half skelly period, where he impressed several coaches with his play on the ball. Landed first offer from San Diego State post-camp.

And from Cal-Hi Sports:

On this day, however, nobody overshadowed the lanky and rangy defensive back who earned the praises of his position coaches and peers alike.

Possessing solid technique and long arms normally seen on budding basketball players, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Fisher blanketed receivers and batted away downfield passes with ease. Not well-known around the state beforehand, other defensive backs vouched for Fisher’s ability before the start of one-on-one repetitions. When those were completed, there were no dissenters.

Yes, early reports do suggest that he can stick at corner. That should make Coach Mora happy. At a reported 6'2, he has the height that Mora loves from his cornerbacks, and may have further room to grow.

... said Fisher, who reportedly carries a 3.0 GPA and lists UCLA as his early college favorite. "My father is 6-foot-4 and about 245 pounds, so I’m confident I will fill out."

Denzel is rated as a consensus 3-star recruit. Scout.com ranks him as the nation's 40th best prospect at cornerback, while Rivals has him as the #61 cornerback overall, and the 56th best prospect in California. 247 Sports has him in that same prospect range, but if their write-up of his performance in June at the B2G Elite camp is any indication, he has a great upside.

3. Denzel Fisher, CB, Compton (Calif.) Centennial - The offer list hasn't exploded yet for Fisher but it should. His length is outstanding, he can flips his hips naturally and despite his length, he's a quick twitch prospect in short area. Despite several mid-level offers, Fisher has to be one of the more underappreciated west coast talents.

Some Junior year highlights of Denzel via YouTube:

And some clips from some 7-on-7 ball and drills from this spring's Nike camp:

After his Nike Camp performance, he gave a short interview in which - among other things - he mentioned having already received interest from Bruin coaches.

Edward Lewis interviewed Denzel earlier this evening after he announced his commitment to UCLA. Ed put the transcript up as a free post at BSR - it really is worth a quick read. One of the main takeaways from his talk:

How solid is this commitment?

Fisher: "This is 100 percent in. I'm a Bruin. I'm a Bruin."

Let's give another Bruin Family welcome to Denzel!

GO BRUINS!