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The Bruins offensive line got a new commitment tonight when 4* Michael Alves announced the news on twitter.
— Mike Alves (@m_alves1234) November 17, 2015
Alves plays at St Augustine HS in San Diego and is listed at 6-5 and 315. Rivals gives Alves a 4* rating and lists him as the #19 OG in the country, Scout ranks him as the #2 guard in California and gives him a 3* rating. He will join the Bruins 2016 recruiting class.
Alves picked the Bruins over Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, and others.
Brandon Huffman at Scout posted a nice article looking at Alves recruitment and eventual commitment.
UCLA felt right for me," Alves said. "When it came down to the decision it was UCLA."
Alves had a final few schools of UCLA, Oregon and Boston College, with only Oregon getting an official visit.
"Yeah, it was those three as my finalists. After I visited Oregon, it just didn't feel right. And Boston College was just too far away. In the end, it was between those three but I just felt it was UCLA."
The Bruins had several things in their favor that pulled Alves their way.
"It's close. So I'm still close to my family and they can see me play. I'm not ready to leave California yet. The coaching. It's (Offensive Line) Coach (Adrian) Klemm, and he's a cool guy. My dad loves him. And my dad also knows (UCLA running backs) coach (Kennedy) Polamalu. It's a great staff at UCLA. Then there is the academics. When I thought about it, I knew that if I applied myself and did well at UCLA I'd set myself up for life with that education. It's a place that I think will make me a better person and a better player."
The bold part (mine) of that quote really makes me smile. Kiffy was right...it only take a few seconds to know someone's a Bruin.
Michael's junior year highlights are below. Any hungry for pancakes?
After Adrian Klemm's suspension this spring, the Bruins have been lagging in OL recruiting, so this is a good start to getting back in the game. Alves is projected as a guard but is willing to play tackle if needed. Just don't ask him to snap the ball...
I'm comfortable at either guard or tackle," Alves said. "I'll play wherever they want me to play. Well, really, I don't like center. And Coach Klemm said I wouldn't have to play that, so that's good.
Line wins games. Boom!
Welcome to Westwood, Michael!
GO BRUINS!!