The Bruins have joined Michigan, Notre Dame, Georgia, USC and others in pursuing one of the top safeties in the Northeast.
The Bruins have sent an offer out to one of the top defensive players on the East Coast.
Class of 2024 safety Jaylen McClain became the latest recruit pick up an offer from UCLA football, the Seton Hall Prep (NJ) product announced on Thursday night on Twitter. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect thanked assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Brian Norwood for the offer, signifying that the Bruins are looking at the athlete as an option in their secondary despite his additional experience as a wideout.
UCLA joins Akron, Boston College, Campbell, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, UMass, Miami (FL), Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and Wisconsin in offering McClain.
However, McClain’s recruitment could already be on the back nine. On Feb. 11, he released a top 10 that included Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, Stanford, Tennessee and USC.
UCLA has been very selective in handing out offers under coach Chip Kelly, though, so perhaps the staff thinks they can seriously insert themselves into the race for McClain’s commitment.
McClain is a four-star prospect, per On3 and ESPN, while 247Sports and Rivals have the West Orange, New Jersey, native pegged as a three-star. According to the 247Sports Composite, McClain is the No. 4 player in New Jersey, the No. 21 safety in the country and the No. 249 overall recruit in his class.
Among safeties in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, McClain ranks No. 3.
During McClain’s junior campaign at Seton Hall Prep, the rangy safety accumulated 83 tackles, one interception and one sack. McClain earned first-team All-Division and All-County honors, while also being named to the second-team All-State squad.
Between Norwood and new cornerbacks coach Kodi Whitfield, the Bruins have offered a host of class of 2024 prospects in the secondary since the offseason began.
Four-star defensive back Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins became UCLA’s first commit for the upcoming recruiting class on Jan. 17. Four-star Chaminade (CA) safety Marquis Gallegos, three-star Mater Dei (CA) safety Jeilani Davis, four-star Calabasas (CA) cornerback Aaron Butler and three-star Bountiful (UT) athlete Faletau Satuala have all earned offers from the Bruins as well, although none appear close to a decision.
UCLA’s two-man class of Dunbar-Hawkins and three-star offensive lineman Joshua Glanz ranks No. 33 in the country and No. 4 in the Pac-12.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF JAYLEN MCCLAIN/INSTAGRAM
