Oluwole Betiku to UCLA: Bruins Land 5-Star DE Prospect

UCLA bolstered its defense on Thursday when defensive end prospect Oluwole Betiku joined its 2016 recruiting class.

Betiku announced his decision on Twitter:

"

I have decided to continue my education and play football for the next 4 years at #UCLA 🐻💙💛 #4sUp #BruinRevolution pic.twitter.com/cdnIa4ule3

— WoleBomaye (@Kingwole47) August 6, 2015"

The 6’3 ½”, 240-pound Betiku checks in as a 5-star prospect, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

While Betiku is officially listed as a California prospect, he is a Nigerian native who is still adjusting to life in the United States. He played soccer and basketball growing up in Nigeria and has yet to tap into his full football potential.        

Former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington is Betiku’s mentor.

Now, he joins a UCLA squad looking to make a run at a Pac-12 championship. Linebacker Myles Jack and defensive linemen Kenny Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes headline a loaded Bruins defense.

Head coach Jim Mora Jr. has to be thrilled about landing yet another potential star as the Bruins look to hold off USC, Arizona State, Arizona and the rest of the ultra-competitive Pac-12 South.

A number of schools saw Betiku's potential before he even made a mark in organized football. As a result, USC, Maryland, Penn State, Oregon, Miami and Washington, among others, were involved in his recruitment to varying extents, which is a testament to his sky-high ceiling as a developing prospect.

Betiku certainly caught the eye of Tom Lemming of CBS Sports in the evaluation process:

Photo Credit: 247Sports

The overwhelming strength that Lemming mentioned is the first thing that jumps out about Betiku’s game. It allows him to overpower offensive linemen on running plays and make a push into the backfield on passing plays.

Throw in the athleticism and explosiveness off the snap and the footwork he honed during his basketball and soccer days, and Betiku has the opportunity to be a star in college. He is still developing in the nuances of the game given his relative inexperience (reading plays, reacting to play actions, etc.), but the talent is clear.

Betiku is also versatile enough to play defensive end in pass-rushing situations and outside linebacker, which will help him immediately contend for playing time as a freshman at his new school.