Briefs

Van, Payton give verbal commitments High school
junior defensive backs Rodney Van and Bryan Payton have been
rumored to have UCLA as their leaders for the past couple of weeks,
but all it took was the Bruins’ football Junior Day to push
them to verbally commit. Van, of Long Beach Poly, and Payton, of
West Covina South Hills, gave their word to UCLA coaches Saturday
that they would play football in Westwood, BruinReportOnline.com
reported late Saturday. The duo will bring a combination of size
and speed to the Bruin defensive backfield. Van, who projects to be
a cornerback, is 6 feet 1 inch and runs a 4.4 40-yard dash. A
lifelong Bruin fan, Van will rejoin former Poly teammates Marcedes
Lewis, Kevin Brown and Junior Lemauu. He is also expected to run
track at UCLA. Payton has greater size at 6 feet 2 inches and is
probably more physical. He led California in interceptions last
season with 11 picks and was rumored to be close to committing as
early as two weeks ago. UCLA has yet to approach his twin brother,
defensive back Jeremy Payton, but both have hopes of coming to
Westwood together.

Compiled by Bruce Tran, Daily Bruin Reporter.