Maurice Jones-Drew pushed his son to play college football everywhereexcepthis alma mater.
“I didn’t want things to not work out and him be upset at me,” Jones-Drew, the former All-America running back and punt returner at UCLA, told the California Post on Monday, “so I wanted this to be his decision purely.”
But some things just feel like destiny.
After overseeing his own recruitment and listening to all the pitches, high school running back Duece Jones-Drew decided he wanted to follow his father’s lead and become a Bruin.
That thrilled his father in all ways besides one.
“I’m scared,” the elder Jones-Drew cracked, “because I think all my records that are left – if there are any left – are about to go falling down.”
By giving UCLA his verbal commitment on Sunday afternoon – one day after he attended the team’s spring game at the Rose Bowl – Duece became the latest high school recruit to join a growing legion. The Bruins now have 16 players committed – including eight consensus four-star prospects – before playing their first game undernew coach Bob Chesney.
“What they have going on there,” Maurice said, “I’m excited about it and excited for my son to be a part of it.”
Maurice, 41, said his son grew up a big UCLA fan even while living in Florida while his father became a three-time Pro Bowler for the Jaguars.
Now a junior at De La Salle High in the Bay Area, Duece wanted to commit to UCLA last year before his father advised him to take more time with his recruitment. He also considered Arizona, California, Southern Methodist and Oregon State before giving UCLA coaches a quiet commitment on Friday.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
