Los Alamitos’ Melsby Commits to Play Football at UCLA

Los Alamitos wide receiver Brad Melsby, The Times Orange County back of the year, has made an oral commitment to play football at UCLA next season.

Melsby, who set Orange County records for career receptions, yards receiving and touchdown receptions, said he told UCLA Coach Terry Donahue during his visit to the Melsby residence Monday.

“I’m going to be Bruin,” Melsby said. “UCLA just felt right. The coaches seem like class people, it’s a solid program, it’s a great academic school, and it’s close to home.”

Melsby, the Sunset League’s most valuable player, caught 77 passes for 1,204 yards this season and scored 14 touchdowns. During Melsby’s three-year career at Los Alamitos, the Griffins were 39-1-1 and won two Southern Section Division II championships.

Melsby, 6-1 and 183 pounds, also strongly considered Stanford, Minnesota and Arizona State.

“I liked all the schools,” Melsby said. “UCLA just felt right. I figured that I know this is a good decision, so why should I wait? I think Coach Donahue was a little surprised when I told him.”

Melsby’s decision didn’t surprise Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes.

“I think UCLA is really excited to get Mels,” Barnes said. “They’ve been wooing the heck out of him.”

Melsby finished his career with 185 receptions to break the county record of 177 set by a former teammate, Los Alamitos’ George Sagen (1990-92). Melsby’s 2,979 yards receiving and 35 touchdown receptions broke 19-year-old Orange County records set by Kennedy’s Rick Parma.