PITTMAN II ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE FROM UCLA

Michael Pittman II of Oaks Christian High School (Westlake Village) has re-opened his recruiting process after the wide receiver/linebacker announced he's parting ways with UCLA (photo credit scout.com) 

UCLA has been on a recruiting rampage lately under head coach Jim Mora by preventing Southern California talent from drifting away. Under Mora, the Bruins have lured in 16 prominent So Cal prospects including 5-star quarterback Josh Rosen (Class of 2015) of St. John Bosco in Bellflower, 5-star outside linebacker Keisean Lucier-South (2015) of Orange Lutheran, and most recently on Wednesday, June 10, dual-threat 2016 quarterback/wide receiver Dymond Lee (4-star) of West Hills-Chaminade.

But on the day UCLA landed the versatile and explosive Lee, it lost one of its most prized early commitments, as Class of 2016 athlete Michael Pittman II of Oaks Christian High School-Westlake Village decided to de-commit from the Bruins on June 10.

Pittman II - who’s the son of the former NFL running back and who made his verbal pledge to the Bruins in Oct. 2014 while still a junior - took to his Twitter account to announce his decision to move forward:

Pittman II caught the attention of recruiters with his towering 6-foot-4 height and jumping capability. He emerged as a valid red zone target and finished the 2014-15 season with 47 receptions, 914 yards and 12 touchdowns for the 5-5 Lions.

Since committing early to the Westwood campus, Pittman II added offers from Washington, Washington State, USC and Oregon.

His departure now leaves Darian Owens of Clovis West as UCLA’s lone 2016 receiver commit. Lee, who has lined up as a wideout, is being projected to play quarterback. Athlete Demetric Felton of Great Oak High in Temecula could line up at running back instead of his projected position of slot receiver.

Pittman II’s father, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, issued this statement via his Facebook page:

“Michael Jr. officially announced his de-commit from UCLA today. I want to thank the UCLA football staff and recruiting department for the opportunity they presented my son. They were very professional throughout this entire process.”