Deon Hollins signs with UCLA over Notre Dame, Utah

The UCLA Bruins added a strong edge-rushing presence in the 2013 class when they signed Missouri City (Texas) defensive end Deon Hollins on Wednesday.

A consensus four-star prospect, Hollins is a 6’2, 225-pounder who is ranked as the No. 15 outside linebacker in the country and No. 26 prospect in the state of Texas, although Hollins could end up playing defensive end in college. He held offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas State, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas A&M, and West Virginia, among many others.

Hollins was long considered a soft UCLA commit because he took several other visits, including trips to Notre Dame and Utah toward the end of the process. However, he ended up staying with his longtime commitment to Jim Mora and the Bruins.

A natural edge rusher, Hollins is hurt by the fact that he is on the small side for a defensive end at just under 6’2, which is why he’s listed as an outside linebacker by the services. The question is whether Hollins can stay there in college or if he will need to transition to playing linebacker full time and find usage as a situational pass rusher.

At The Opening, Hollins rarely played for his team, as he spent his time working at linebacker in the 7-on-7 drills rather than putting on pads and working with the defensive linemen, suggesting that it could take some time for him to make the move to linebacker if that indeed happens in Westwood.

Hollins won the Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Year after registering 23 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures as a senior. The Marshall product also participated in the Semper Fidelis All-American game.

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Recruitment timeline: Hollins took several other visits, but remained with his original UCLA pledge.

Highlight video:

DEON HOLLINS JR - OFFICIAL JUNIOR HIGHLIGHT (via DEONHOLLINSSR)

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