UCLA Football: Players to Watch in High School All-American Games

Before he was the first-ever recipient of both the Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year, UCLA linebacker Myles Jack was a high school participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

His West teammate in the 2013 prep All-America contest, Eddie Vanderdoes, is now his teammate at UCLA.

Both came to college with fanfare and became immediate, key contributors for the Bruins.

The next wave of impact newcomers for UCLA, like Jack and Vanderdoes, will be in action this weekend. The 2015 installment of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, with the Under Armour All-America Game kicking off Friday at 4 p.m. ET.

UCLA has commits as well as prospects participating in both, any one of which could become the Bruins' next superstar.

Byron Cowart, 5-Star Defensive End

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Byron Cowart (247Sports.com)

Playing In: Under Armour All-America Game; Friday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

From: Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)

Status: Uncommitted

Five-star Florida prospect Byron Cowart has shown interest in coming to Pac-12 country during his recruitment, but the standout defensive end was mentioned primarily in association with Oregon.

A late push from Jim Mora and his staff could woo Cowart to the west coast but further south than Eugene, Oregon. 

Rivals.com's Adam Gorney reported Cowart could take a January visit to Westwood, California, to get familiar with the UCLA football program. 

"

Five-star DE Byron Cowart is taking a surprise Pac-12 visit in Jan. - #UCLA fans get inside https://t.co/MpFYdbdsJQ pic.twitter.com/JeEpMt21Wn

— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) December 28, 2014"

Until then, Cowart will be one to watch in Friday's Under Armour All-America Game. 

DeChaun Holiday, 4-Star Safety

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DeChaun Holiday (247Sports.com)

Playing In: U.S. Army All-American Bowl

From: Mission Hills (San Marcos, California)

Status: Uncommitted

DeChaun Holiday is something of a new-school defensive back, combining the requisite speed necessary to flourish in the secondary with remarkable size for his position.

At 6’3”, Holiday has the size to match most wide receivers and hits with the impact of a linebacker while patrolling the back line.

Those are qualities that certainly fit the mentality Mora preaches at UCLA, and those attributes should also make for a noteworthy performance on Saturday.   

Soso Jamabo, 5-Star Running Back

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Soso Jamabo (247Sports.com)

Playing In: Under Armour All-America Game; Friday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN 

From: Plano West (Plano, Texas)

Status: Uncommitted

In search of some power to complete the speed and finesse of the UCLA offense, Mora and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone began using linebacker Myles Jack as a ball-carrier late in 2013.

A commitment from 5-star running back Soso Jamabo would give the Bruins that power ball-carrier they have in Jack, without having to worry about splitting his repetitions on the other side of the ball.

That vision could very well become reality, too. Tom Loy of 247Sports reports UCLA is one of Jamabo’s top two schools, along with Notre Dame.

The Under Armour All-America Game could indeed be Bruins fans’ first introduction to the latest piece of the team’s offensive blueprint.  

Aliz'e Jones, 4-Star Tight End

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Aliz'e Jones (247Sports.com)

Playing In: U.S. Army All-American Bowl; Saturday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET on NBC 

From: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Status: Committed on Nov. 24, 2013 

UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone’s scheme doesn’t rely on a tight end—not in a traditional sense, at least. But in his first season on Mora’s staff in 2012, Mazzone made effective use of Joseph Fauria to the tune of 46 receptions and 12 touchdowns.

Aliz’e Jones has the tools to be the next Fauria.

He caught 13 touchdown passes for national powerhouse Bishop Gorman this season, second-most on the Div. I-talent-laden roster, per MaxPreps.

Jones’ red-zone playmaking could produce some highlights on Saturday and set the tone for his contribution to the UCLA offense next season.

Keisean Lucier-South, 5-Star Defensive End

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Keisean Lucier-South (247Sports.com)

Playing In: U.S. Army All-American Bowl; Saturday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. ET on NBC

From: Orange Lutheran (Orange, California)

Status: Committed on Nov. 22

Landing a commitment from Keisean Lucier-South was a huge victory for Mora and his staff in the competitive, local landscape.

A 5-star recruit, Lucier-South garnered attention from around the nation, including Oklahoma, Alabama and Michigan. The same qualities that made him a nationally coveted prospect will be readily on display in Saturday’s All-American Bowl, too.

But make no mistake: This Southern California product is going to flourish in the hometown sunshine for years to come.

Josh Rosen, 5-Star Quarterback

Playing In: Under Armour All-America Game; Friday, Jan. , 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

From: St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)

Status: Committed on March 20

Josh Rosen has yet to put on Bruins blue and gold, but the highly touted quarterback prospect is already a popular pick to succeed Brett Hundley as UCLA’s signal-caller.

Rosen will likely compete with veteran reserve Asiantii Woulard for the job, and even if he doesn’t win the starting nod immediately, he has a bright future ahead of him.

That’s due in part to registering a perfect 10 on 247Sports’ rating for his intangibles. But it certainly doesn’t hurt that Rosen is celebrated for his arm and awareness in the pocket.

He’ll have ample opportunity to show off those traits Friday, and a strong performance there could be the catalyst for jump-starting Rosen’s UCLA career early.

Recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.com composite scores.