UCLA Targeting Texas to Finish Recruiting Season Strong

No state is as synonymous with the Friday night lights of high school football as Texas, and UCLA head coach Jim Mora's staff knows it. 

Texas has been good to the Bruins. They won almost as many games in the Lone Star State this past season (two) as at the Rose Bowl (three).

Texas is also an increasingly important recruiting pipeline for UCLA, having produced such current Bruins standouts as linebacker Deon Hollins (Fort Bend High School in Missouri City), wide receiver Eldridge Massington (West Mesquite High School in Mesquite) and offensive linemen Caleb Benenoch (Seven Lakes High School in Katy) and Jake Brendel (East High School in Plano). 

This year, Texas holds the key to UCLA finishing with a flourish on the way to national signing day next month. 

Of the Bruins' top, uncommitted targets, some of the most highly rated—and most promising to sign—hail from Texas. 

UCLA will find out soon about one such prospect, 4-star wide receiver Ryan Newsome. Newsome announced via Twitter that he is down to two choices: UCLA or Texas. He will make his declaration Friday. 

Newsome's speed and shiftiness fit offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's scheme nicely, presenting a threat in space along the perimeter. 

Having an explosive option such as Newsome working in tandem with a rangy target capable of going over the top of opposing cornerbacks can pack a potent punch. UCLA could get just that if it lands 6'5" Carlos Strickland, a 4-star wide receiver from Skyline High School in Dallas.  

Strickland decommitted from Texas Tech earlier this month, and 247Sports' Crystal Ball panel favors UCLA as his new destination. 

The highest-rated and perhaps most crucial to sign of UCLA's remaining targets is running back Soso Jamabo. Bruins fans would love to see the 5-star recruit from Plano West High School in blue and gold—so much so, that some are already envisioning it. 

"

#UCLA Recruit RB @Soso_Jamabo1 [Soso Jamabo] Plano TX to Westwood- A Star in the Making - #FutureHeisman #Speed #4sUp pic.twitter.com/tpwe2pw118

— FB5YS (@FB5YS) December 14, 2014"

Jamabo could jump into the UCLA offense rather quickly. At 6'2.5", 210 pounds, he is a powerful ball-carrier who could complement the smaller, shifty Paul Perkins. 

Notre Dame is one of the top suitors of Jamabo, and the Fighting Irish already bested the Bruins in one recruiting battle earlier this month.

Shortly after decommitting from UCLA, 4-star tight end Aliz'e Jones pledged to Notre Dame. 

UCLA is still pursuing another one-time verbal pledge who since decommitted: Bryce English, a 3-star defensive tackle from DeSoto High School. Re-adding English to the 2015 signing class would plant another flag in territory key to Mora's overall recruiting strategy. 

Recruiting rankings and information via 247Sports.com.