Defensive end Takkarist McKinley picks UCLA, eligible immediately

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Junior college defensive end Takkarist McKinley has enrolled at UCLA and will be immediately eligible to play, adding another piece to the Bruins’ already strong defensive line.

Expected to arrive on campus Monday, McKinley’s commitment was first reported by Scout.com’s Greg Biggins. Originally a three-star recruit who signed with Cal in 2013, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound lineman failed to qualify academically that summer and instead headed to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Calif. However, according to Biggins, two of his summer school classes had been left off his high school transcript.

The discrepancy meant that he should have been eligible to begin with, allowing him to pick the Bruins and enroll in time for the fall quarter.

McKinley is a particularly significant get for defensive line coach Angus McClure given the departure of sophomore Kylie Fitts, a former four-star end who transferred to Utah last month. McKinley ran a 10.58-second 100-meter dash in high school, and should provide an upgrade over Fitts and add a speed rusher to a defense that only has one sack this season.