Star wide receivers on the move

Darian Owens of Clovis West announced his decision to accept a scholarship offer from UCLA on Friday, April 17. The wide receiver and Class of 2016 prospect was highly recruited by a number of schools, which includes USC, TCU, Oklahoma and Oregon (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna). 

Darian Owens ended his recruiting process on a sunny day at Clovis West High School on Friday, April 17, as the 4-star prospect decided to join UCLA.

The 6'2", 190 pound Owens made his oral commitment to the Bruins in front of fellow students and Golden Eagle teammates outside the schools' amphitheater during the early afternoon. The wide receiver and defensive back - who was offered a scholarship by 18 different NCAA Division I schools - narrowed down his list to UCLA, USC, Fresno State, Oregon and Oregon State before deciding on the Bruins.

Owens has been recruited heavily as a receiver. Last season he finished with 42 catches, 613 yards, an average of 14.6 yards per catch and two touchdowns for the 6-6 Golden Eagles.

Owens is the third wide receiver to commit to the Westwood campus for the Class of 2016. Michael Pittman II (Oaks Christian of Westlake Village) accepted his pledge to UCLA in Oct. 2014 and Demetric Felton (Great Oak of Temecula) committed to the Bruins in March 2015.

L.J. Reed found a new college football home on April 16, as the former UCLA commit decided to join Fresno State (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna). 

REED TO JOIN MOUNTAIN WEST RUNNER-UP

L.J. Reed of Tokay High in Lodi - who originally pledged to UCLA in April 2014 - will instead join Fresno State after the 4-star wide receiver made the announcement on his Twitter page on April 16.

The 6'3", 225 pound Reed provides a big need for a Bulldogs team in need of wide receivers after the departure of Josh Harper (NFL Draft). Reed not only brings his size and big play capability, but a mean streak against defensive backs who try to jam him at the line of scrimmage.

Reed, who also played football and basketball at Consumnes Oaks in Elk Grove before transferring to Tokay for his senior year, caught 29 passes for 501 yards and scored four touchdowns in six games played during the 2014-15 season, as Tokay finished 7-4.

Among the other schools offering Reed a scholarship were Arizona State, Arizona, Washington and Washington State.