UCLA Football Recruiting: 3-Star JUCO LB/DB Je’Vari Anderson Commits to the Bruins

After watching the UCLA Bruins last season, it’s clear that the team needs some help on defense. Coach Chip Kelly got some help for the defense this morning when 3-star LB/DB Je’Vari Anderson announced his commitment to the Bruins.

While Anderson has played the past two seasons at Laney College in Oakland, he played his high school ball for perennial national power De La Salle.

Anderson is 6’1” tall and weighs in at 220 pounds.

After watching Anderson’s highlights from Hudl.com, the thing that stands out is playmaking ability. The guy is literally all over the field making plays. It doesn’t matter if it’s breaking up a pass downfield or rushing the quarterback. Anderson chases the ball and makes the play.

Now, that said, I’ll also admit that I’m a little concerned about his style of play. He seems to play with a little bit of reckless abandon and, while that can be good, I was concerned that several of the plays in his highlight reel might have been flagged by Pac-12 officials for targeting. So, I won’t be surprised if Anderson is flagged and ejected for targeting on more than one occasion. Take a look for yourself.

Hopefully, Coach Kelly and the new defensive staff will be able to develop Anderson and get him to stop leading with his head quite so much while still playing with the same aggressive play all the time.

Anderson visited UCLA last weekend and followed his Westwood visit with one to Kansas State, according to Greg Biggins of 247Sports.com. Anderson explained his decision to Biggins:

First and foremost, the academics at UCLA carries a lot of weight. I want my mom to be able to see me walk the stage and hold that degree from a university like UCLA, that will be special.

He also spoke about the effect that Chip Kelly’s hiring had on his decision.

There is something big happening at UCLA, you can just feel it and I know I wanted to be a part of that. To be a part of coach (Chip) Kelly’s first recruiting class is pretty special. I’m enrolling in March and will be there for spring ball and I can’t wait to get started. The cool thing about a new staff is it’s equal opportunity for everyone, that’s the best part, we’re all competing on level playing field.

Chalk up another advantage for UCLA’s quarter system. It’s going to allow Anderson and, hopefully, some other recruits to start at UCLA in March in order to be on campus for Spring Practice.

Welcome to Westwood, Je’Vari!


Go Bruins!!!