Houston's Top 2013 Defender Commits

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Fort Bend Marshall defensive end Deon Hollins Jr., committed to UCLA Tuesday night. His commitment seemingly came out of nowhere and he shocked the recruiting world with his decision.

HIs decision came down to a numbers game. New Bruin coach Jim Mora has assembled a staff with over 72 years of NFL experience and three Super Bowl rings. The other digits are the 3-4 defense.

"You can't over look Coach Mora and his staff's NFL experience," father Deon Hollins Sr., said. "The fact that they want to make him a James Harrison-type player in their 3-4 defense was also another big selling point. He wants to be that hybrid rusher in college and in the NFL. UCLA is just giving him that opportunity.

"The campus is beautiful, the academics are tremendous and Los Angeles is a major media market," Hollins said. "It was a great fit."

The first-team all-district and honorable-mention all-state selection is a 6-foot-2, 226-pounds stealth defender who has been clocked at a 4.5 in the 40-yard-dash.

"It was just on his heart to go ahead and commit and he didn't want to disappoint the other recruiters who have been recruiting him throughout the country. But it's the best decision for him and he's in a good place with it."

UCLA assistant coach Demetrice Martin and defensive coordinator Lou Spanos were also paramount in Hollins' decision.

"We have built a really good relationship with those guys over the phone and we are excited to get over there on campus and check out the place."