Hunter Echols Decommits from UCLA: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Hunter Echols, a 4-star prospect from the 2017 recruiting class, announced Friday he is no longer committed to the UCLA Bruins.

Echols took to Twitter to break the bad news for Bruins fans:

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Echols is the seventh-best weak-side defensive end, 14th-best recruit from California and 97th-best overall prospect in the 2017 class. He hails from Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.

This past season, Echols racked up 79 combined tackles (27 for loss), 17 sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries—including one for a touchdown—per 247Sports.

As of Friday, 247Sports' "crystal ball" showed Echols' top choices to be UCLA, Washington, Notre Dame and Arizona, each with a 25 percent chance to land his commitment.

Irish Illustrated's Pete Sampson analyzed how much Echols could help Notre Dame in particular:

Now that the Bruins are out of the running, it stands to reason that Echols will choose between the remaining three programs.

At 6'3 ½" and 231 pounds, he already has enough bulk to be a dynamic edge-rusher and contribute as a freshman, and the raw numbers suggest Echols has all the makings of a pass-rushing stud at the college level.

Although his pad level can get high at times, Echols has the length and functional strength to compensate while he hones his fundamentals. He also has a great first step and exceptional bend off the edge, which is difficult to teach.

Playing time will be dictated by the personnel at the school of Echols' choosing, but he should be able to make an impact quickly in the NCAA regardless of where he decides to go.

Star rating and rankings courtesy of 247Sports.