Interview: 2018 California 3-Star DT Aaron Maldonado Talks UCLA Bruins Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Bruins’ 2018 recruiting class has started to take shape in the month of March. Since March 8, UCLA has added three verbal commitments to their recruit board first reeling in athlete Jhevon Hill (Cajon HS) and then athlete Isaiah Johnson (Thomas Downey HS). The third was landed Saturday night with three-star defensive tackle Aaron Maldonado, getting a big steal out of the 2018 group.

Maldonado has been taking on California varsity level competition since his freshman season breaking onto the scene as a two-way starter in the trenches. Over the next two years he worked his way into being one of the state’s best Class of 2018 defensive tackle talents plugging the middle in Bishop Amat’s 3-4 scheme. The 2016 campaign ended with Maldonado securing Mission League’s Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-Area, and first team All-CIF honors with 60 tackles with nine sacks.

College coaches saw all of the next level potential Maldonado had playing against top California prospects. Offers started rolling in for the once 6-3, 305 pound, but now 6-3, 280 and rising back up, talent. In all, eight teams have offered Maldonado including Boise State, Dartmouth, New Mexico, Hawaii, BYU, and Cal. The Bruins wrapped up their backyard target on Saturday securing a cornerstone on defense to build around going forward in the 2018 haul.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the newest UCLA commit getting the inside scoop on how the Bruins staff swayed him to Westwood.

Interview

Aaron, let’s get right to it. What influenced you to commit to UCLA?

“Right when I stepped onto the campus in February I saw the great atmosphere there. Everyone was polite and respectful. When I sat down with the coaches they were relatable. I felt comfortable there. My aunt always said she wanted to see me play when I was in college. Playing for UCLA is a big plus staying close to home so my family can watch me play.”

When did you commit to UCLA?

“Saturday night.”

How did you come to the decision to commit to the Bruins?

“I was with my trainer (Brigham Harwell – DL coach at Alemany). We were at a baby shower going over all of my offers and opportunities. I knew UCLA would be the best place for me. My trainer played there (UCLA). Keeping that tradition will be real nice.”

How did you let UCLA know you were their newest commit?

“We talked to Coach Angus (McClure), he’s the defensive line coach at UCLA. We did a Facetime with him. He was excited about it. We had a really nice call.”

You said Coach Angus was excited, what did he say or do when you committed?

“He was excited. He was pumped. He said he can’t wait to have me at spring practices to show me drills so I will be better prepared when I come in as a freshman. He was really psyched about it.”

A commitment is a really big deal. How did you feel at that moment when you were about to make that call to verbally commit?

“I feel like there has been a weight on my shoulders. When I did commit, the weight came off and I knew I could relax. Now that I know I am going to college, this gives me something to look forward to. I know there are guys that will target me in games because I am a UCLA commit. That will make me work harder and will make me keep grinding it out.”

Do you still plan to take your official visits during your senior season?

“I do plan on taking some official visits my senior year.”

Was there a school or two that made this decision hard for you?

“Yes, Cal-Berkeley. That was another school my family and I talked about a lot. Cal is a top academic school. That is important to me.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

(Laughs) “I have been trying already.”

Who have you been working on so far?

“Mykee Irving, he’s a (three-star) defensive lineman from Calabasas (High School – Los Angeles). Mykee said he would commit when I did. I have also been talking to Chris Murray (three-star OL) from Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) and Justin Dedich (four-star OL) from Chaparral (Temecula, CA). I’m trying to get some big guys to go there too.”

You announced on Saturday, have you contacted Mykee yet to ask him when he’s going to commit?

“I don’t have my phone to text him. My phone is at school. I’ll have to hit him up on Twitter.”

How are you going to pitch the other players to join you?

“I will tell them if you have not checked it out, check it out. If we go into together we will go in like brothers and build something. We can build that bond that we will carry onto the field. I will tell them all the good things about UCLA.”

Aaron, thanks for your time today and congratulations on your commitment to UCLA.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Maldonado family; Aaron Maldonado with Coach Angus McClure (Feb. 2017).

Photo credit: Maldonado family; Aaron Maldonado with Coach Jim Mora (Feb. 2017).