Four-star running back Brandon Stephens commits to UCLA

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For the second straight year, UCLA has landed another top running back from Plano, Texas.

After reopening the recruiting process again in late January, Brandon Stephens officially announced his commitment to the Bruins on Wednesday morning in a ceremony at Plano Senior High. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound prospect is the first tailback to join UCLA’s 2016 class, which already has fullback Jalen Starks.

Scout ranks Stephens as a four-star recruit and one of the top 10 running backs coming out of Texas, while Rivals slots him at three stars while giving him the No. 20 spot at his position nationally. He had decommitted from Stanford less than two weeks ago.

UCLA running back Soso Jamabo, who could vie for the starting job vacated by former Pac-12 rushing leader Paul Perkins, starred at Plano West High before joining the Bruins as a five-star recruit. Jamabo rushed for 404 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman, though he did most of his work in the fourth quarter.