On the golden state recruiting trail: it's hail to the hills of Westwood for Toailoa

Lokeni Toailoa (Carter of Rialto) ended his recruiting process by announcing that he's verbally committed to UCLA (photo courtesy of usc.scout.com). 

Lokeni Toailoa walked into the room proudly wearing a Ground Zero shirt and thanked his club 7-on-7 head coach Armond Hawkins for helping him on his recruiting journey.

But the next article of clothing that Toailoa proudly put on was a hat that signified where he'll spend his college football career at: UCLA.

The highly-recruited Carter of Rialto linebacker - who held 21 scholarship offers - ended his recruiting process by choosing the Bruins on Monday, March 23, during a special ceremony hosted by Toailoa's club 7-on-7 coaches.

The 6'0", 212 pound Class of 2016 prospect narrowed his choices to Norte Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, Utah, Washington and UCLA earlier in March. The inside linebacker, though, will head to Westwood and join another big-time linebacker recruit who committed to the Bruins on March 14: Krys Barnes of Liberty (Bakersfield).

Toailoa has played on Carter's varsity football team since his freshman year. Last season, Toailoa finished with 48 tackles, six sacks, six pass deflections and one interception for the 9-3 Lions. 

MATHIS PILING UP MOUNTAIN WEST OFFERS

Dru Mathis of Buena (Ventura) has now emerged as one of the most sought-after linebackers in Ventura County, after landing two Mountain West scholarship offers on March 23.

At approximately 10 a.m., Mathis announced on social media that Colorado State had extended an offer to him. Then around 4 p.m., the 6'3", 200 pound outside linebacker added a scholarship pledge from Fresno State.

Mathis now holds five offers. New Mexico, Nevada and San Diego State are the other Mountain West schools that are making a run at the athletic and rangy linebacker.