While Jim Mora was in Westwood Friday hosting some football prospects in the closing days of the recruiting period, he was getting much welcomed news twelve hundred miles away in the small town of Aledo, Texas. Out of Aledo’s population of 2,716 people, Mora was looking to hear from just one, Ryan Newsome, a four-star wide receiver recruit from Aledo High School. Newsome had 42 scholarship offers, including Alabama, Clemson, USC, Ole Miss and Oklahoma but in recent days had narrowed it down to Texas and UCLA.
After a video presentation of local friends and family wishing him well, Newsome thanked his family and coaches before donning the UCLA cap and announcing his commitment to the Bruins. Newsome is ranked as the 82nd best player overall in the country in the ESPN 300. MaxPreps ranks him at 62nd overall. At 5-8, 170 pounds he is much smaller than prototypical elite receivers. Scouts score him particularly high in terms of speed, route running and ability to pick up big chunks of yards after a catch. He averaged 17 yards per catch for an Aledo team that went 15-1 his senior season.
After thanking all those close to him, Newsome paused in silence for several moments, prior to announcing for UCLA. He later told local reporters that he knew his decision was for UCLA, but was worried about letting down his home state and the local community. This is the second receiver Mora has gotten a commitment from for the upcoming class and Newsome will be the sixth player on the current UCLA roster from the state of Texas. National letter of intent day is February 4th.
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