Nate Iese emerged as a dynamic football prospect this past fall for
Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) in the Elk Grove Unified School District.
What wasn't to admire?
Photo by Ralph ThompsonNate Iese is headed to UCLA.
At 6-foot-5 and 250 muscled pounds, Iese was fast and ferocious off the end, nearly grabbing the handoff on the first play from scrimmage in the season opener against Franklin of Elk Grove. He also played tight end and could race down field, and once word spread that there was a marvel in their midst, recruiters came looking.
On Thursday night, Iese gave a verbal commitment to UCLA after months of mutual interest. Iese the night before was offered a scholarship by new Washington assistant coach Tosh Lupoi, who also courted Iese when
Lupoi was at Cal.
Iese, per his nature and manners, decided to cancel a home visit with Cal coaches on Thursday night and a recruiting trip to Cal this weekend. Iese had also been offered by Nebraska, among scores of
others.
"I'm so happy about this," Iese said, taking a moment from a homework project. "UCLA just feels right. I had a great relationship with (assistant coach) Angus McClure. That means a lot." Days after accepting the UCLA job last month, coach Jim Mora and McClure went to a Sheldon basketball practice. They saw Iese run the floor, easy glides, his biceps warranting a second and third look (Iese is a basketball enforcer, one might immediately guess). Mora looked at McClure and said, "Wow. We've got to have him."
They've got him.
Iese said he would like to play tight end and defensive end. Mostly, he's proud to have a scholarship.
"I'm glad I came to this decision," he said. "I think things will speed up for me excitement wise but also slow down with the recruiting. UCLA is where I want to go."
Joe Davidson has covered prep sports at The Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter: sb_joedavidson