Joquarri Price becomes eighth linebacker to sign with UCLA

UCLA added an eighth linebacker to its recruiting class Friday when the school announced the signing of Joquarri Price, a three-star prospect from Mesa (Ariz.) Desert Ridge High who had previously been committed to San Diego State.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Price tallied 85 tackles and 15 sacks last season, leading his state high school division in the latter category.

“I had been in contact with the UCLA coaches before I de-committed from SDSU,” Price said. “I chose the Bruins because I feel like I would fit in perfectly there being an outside linebacker and it’s a nice area and college.”

Price joins linebacker recruits Choe Bryant-Strother of Greater Atlanta Christian School, Myles Jackson of Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek High, Kenny Mestidor of Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas Moore School, Ioholani Raass of Lehi (Utah) Skyridge, Damian Sellers of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro, Jeremiah Trojan of Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton and Caleb Johnson of Fullerton College in helping the Bruins replenish their ranks at the position after losing all four starters from last season.

Linebacker was the biggest position of need for a team coming off a 4-8 season in which it surrendered 34.8 points per game, ranking No. 115 out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Shotgun Spratling contributed to this report.

High School Sports

Early signing day 2019: Which prospects are joining USC and UCLA?

A recap of Wednesday’s early signing period as the nation’s top high school football prospects made their college choices.

Dec. 18, 2019