Los Osos junior QB commits to UCLA
Los Osos High School quarterback Richard Brehaut verbally committed to UCLA Saturday night, minutes after receiving a scholarship offer from the Bruins.
The 6-foot-3 205-pound junior held a private workout for UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow on Thursday at Los Osos and secured the offer Saturday with a strong showing in front of Chow and UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel at the Steve Clarkson Super Seven quarterback camp in Santa Barbara.
"UCLA has been my dream school since I was a kid," Brehaut said. "This is unbelievable. It's a dream come true. Everything about UCLA is perfect for me."
The UCLA coaching staff assured Brehaut he'll be the only quarterback from the class of 2009 offered a scholarship by the school, a distinction he was competing for with Upland High School junior quarterback Josh Nunes.
Nunes, who has expressed high interest in UCLA since receiving the first few of his 20 scholarship offers, was also at the Steve Clarkson camp where the two had an apparent showdown for the only UCLA quarterback scholarship offer available to their class. Given the fact these two have been linked since assuming the starting quarterback role for their respective high schools as sophomores, I guess its only fitting that they duke it out for the only spot at the school likely No. 1 on each of their long lists.
"I knew it was between me and Josh for that offer," Brehaut said. "We've always had a friendly rivalry and this was just one more thing we were competing for. Whatever he decides, he's going to end up at a great school. We've been friends since little league and we'll continue to be friends."
Brehaut has 15 other scholarship offers from schools including Colorado, Arizona State, Arizona and Oregon State. The 6-4, 211-pound Nunes will pare the list to five on Tuesday.
"They're both great quarterbacks," Los Osos coach Tom Martinez said of Brehaut and Nunes. "I think Richard has a few little intangibles on (Nunes) leadership-wise. Athletically he moves a little better but Josh has a strong arm and that height to see over the line."
Brehaut, who has been in contact with UCLA since attending its junior day in the spring of 2007, completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,348 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a junior, helping Los Osos to an 8-3 record.
A lifelong baseball player, Brehaut hadn't played organized football before arriving at Los Osos in 2005. His first inclination was to play linebacker, but the freshman coaching staff steered him under center.
He became Los Osos starting quarterback midway through his sophomore season.
Last season, according to Martinez, was when he demonstrated ability worthy of a program the caliber of UCLA.
"It's what he was hoping for but I don't think he knew if he would have a chance to go to a school like UCLA," Martinez said. "I don't think he knew where he would fit in."
He is the first quarterback deemed a fit by Neuheisel since his arrival to UCLA in December. Brehaut's non-binding verbal commitment makes him the seventh member of the UCLA 2009 recruiting class and the first offensive player.
"They took their time with this decision and wanted to make the best choice they could," Brehaut said. "And to know they picked me out of all these quarterbacks is an honor."