UCLA Lands Under the Radar in-State Bishop Amat CB Chris Gaston

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The UCLA coaching staff had seen enough game action on cornerback Chris Gaston to offer him on Friday. By Saturday the Bishop Amat Class of 2016 recruit was a verbal commitment of the Bruins.

Gaston was flying under the radar after being limited to three games as part of the Lancers 10-4 team a year ago. The La Puente area talent is having a breakout senior season with 19 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a sack, and three interceptions totaling 112 return yards with two touchdowns scored.

The announcement was made official via Twitter with Gaston posting, “Blessed to say I just committed to UCLA @coach_meat & Coach Mora can’t wait 2 start preparation to become elite.”

The Lancers are 4-1 this season with a lot of senior talent on the roster. When Gaston matriculates onto the Westwood campus, not only will have great experience playing against California high school talent but also a wealth of one-on-one experience against D-I talent from practice. USC has two verbal commits off the Lancers’ squad, wide receivers Tyler Vaughns and Trevon Sidney.

Because Gaston did not get as much game time last year his recruiting has been sparse to date. The only other reported offer for the big corner listed at 6’2”, 180 pounds, is Idaho.

The Bruins now have 19 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. Gaston and Wilmer Carter safety Leni Toailoa are the only secondary commits thus far to UCLA’s haul.

UCLA 2016 Verbal Commitment List

WR/CB Marquis Lawson, 5’8”, 166 lbs, Crenshaw HS, Los Angeles, CA

WR Dymond Lee, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Chaminade HS, West Hills, CA

WR Darian Owens, 6’0”, 192 lbs, Clovis West HS, Fresno, CA

TE Jordan Wilson, 6’5”, 215 lbs, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN

QB Matt Lynch, 6’5”, 182 lbs, Legacy HS, Broomfield, CO

RB Demetric Felton, 5’10”, 170 lbs, Great Oak HS, Temecula, CA

FB Jalen Starks, 6’1”, 240 lbs, Crespi HS, Encino, CA

OC Toleafoa Auwae, 6’3”, 296 lbs, Kapolei HS, Kapolei, HI

LS Johnny Den Bleyker, 6’0”, 200 lbs, Moreau Catholic HS, Hayward, CA

K JJ Molson, 6’1”, 190 lbs, John Abbott College, Montreal, Canada

P Bailey Raborn, 6’0”, 195 lbs, St. Thomas More, Lafayette, LA

DE Wole Betiku, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, CA

DE Marcus Moore, 6’3”, 244 lbs, Crespi HS, Encino, CA

DE Osa Odighizuwa, 6’2”, 250 lbs, David Douglas HS, Portland, OR

LB Krys Barnes, 6’2”, 220 lbs, Liberty HS, Bakersfield, CA

LB Breland Brandt, 6’4”, 220 lbs, Windward HS, Los Angeles, CA

LB Lokeni Toailoa, 6’0”, 213 lbs, Wilmer Carter HS, Rialto, CA

CB Chris Gaston, 6’2”, 180 lbs, Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, CA

SS Leni Toailoa, 6’1”, 192 lbs, Wilmer Carter HS, Rialto, CA

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 8 Chris Gaston