As expected, Jonathan Vaughns, the linebacker from Bellflower, CA has officially signed on with UCLA. He is 6-2, 215 pound three-star recruit from St. John Bosco High School.
The signing is critical for several reasons. UCLA head coach Chip Kelly seems to have developed a pipeline to SBJ High. The Braves, the top ranked high school team in the country, won the CA state championship in December. “Jon Jon” Vaughns is one of three players from the state champs to hook up with the Bruins for the 2020 class.
Extremely fortunate to be apart of an amazing program @boscofootball
Truly enjoyed the ride with this Senior class. Going out on top & doing it their own way. Love you all, but got mad love for my Senior Safeties. ❤?
Youngster you are now on the ⏰
Set your own Bosco legacy pic.twitter.com/AMjEn9x7Kz— Jonathan Hall (@Coach_JJHall) December 16, 2019
Vaughns had five offers. In addition to the Bruins, he had offers from Penn State, LSU, Arizona, and Oregon State. He took only two official visits; one to UCLA and one to Arizona. He has been committed to the Bruins since early November.
“My brother did the two but I’m slangin the 4” COMMITTED 4’s up!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/C2nngBm8Bm
— Jonathan Vaughns (@jonjonvaughns04) November 6, 2019
Another reason the signing is significant is that linebacker is a position of significant development need for UCLA. They are losing all of their 2019 starting linebackers. In addition, Tyree Thompson and Je’Vari Anderson who were both experienced, but missed much or all of this season with injuries will not be returning for 2020. That leaves Shea Pitts and Leni Toailoa as the only returnees with significant playing time. Carl Jones and Bo Calvert will be counted on. But development of the four linebackers that UCLA signs this week will be significant in 2020.
Vaughns is also a highly sought after baseball talent and could be pulling double duty at UCLA.
