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UCLA Football picked up a new commitment for next fall's incoming class this morning, when Monrovia DB/WR Octavius Spencer announced that he will be coming to UCLA.
— Yeemer (@TheRealOcto_) December 16, 2014
And Coach Martin's BOOMING confirmation.
#itsoundslikeBOOM! #4sUp! #8Clap
— Demetrice Martin (@coach_meat) December 16, 2014
After sharing the news, Ocvatius talked with Edward Lewis about his thoughts on the recruiting process and his decision to commit today.
"I feel like it was time to get the recruiting process over with," Spencer said. "I was ready. I feel like (UCLA) is where I want to be for the next four years."
"Me and coach Meat, we've had a good relationship ever since he kind of recruited Ellis (McCarthy) out of Monrovia," Spencer said. "We've had a good relationship ever since. And the education is second to none...
During the conversation, he noted that coming in this summer, the coaches plan on working him with the defensive backs - at 5'11, 175, he seems more of a fit at corner - but with the possibility of moving him to receiver later on if he develops in that direction.
Octavius is a bit of a late bloomer in recruiting circles - until a few weeks ago, his only D-1 offer had come from Sacramento State - but has begun shooting up as his senior season tape has spread along the west coast. He is currently rated as a 3-star recruit by the major services, and has been offered by Oregon and Washington - a couple of programs and coaches who know how to spot and utilize 3-star recruits. Per the Oregonian, his choice came down to the Bruins and Ducks.
Spencer is also an accomplished track athlete - finishing 3rd in the state as part of Monrovia's 4x100 relay team as well as competing in the long jump. His track and field activities may have played a part in his being off the football recruiting radar. As he told Scout's Greg Biggins last month.
"As a junior, we were a run dominated team with Kurt Scoby and I didn't play a much defense so it's probably because I didn't have any junior film. I couldn't get to a lot of the camps because of track, the only one I went to was at San Diego State so I guess I'm a little under the radar."
Here's some of his senior tape that drew the attention of the UCLA, Oregon and Washington coaching staffs.
Video via HUDL.com
Per Biggins' interview, Octavius is carrying a 3.7 GPA at Monrovia and hopes to major in engineering. As Lane Kiffin might say, you can tell within a few minutes that he's a Bruin.
Welcome to Westwood Octavius!
GO BRUINS!