If you’ve watched ESPN lately, maybe you checked the “recruits” section of the ticker at the bottom of the screen that probably read something like this, “4-star linebacker Jaquan Henderson (Covington, Georgia) verbally commits to UCLA.”

Henderson announced his decision on September 24 via Twitter.

“After talking it over with my family and coaches I have decided to commit to UCLA. #Blessed #Bruins @CoachWhiteEra,” Henderson said on Twitter.

Henderson is just in his junior year for the Newton Rams, but he’s setting the world on fire as the Rams’ best player on defense.

Before the season, Henderson set a goal of 20 sacks for the season coming off a 13-sack season last year. He’s won MVP camps in the summer and become a leader in the locker room for Newton.

“It's a school that wants him very bad. It was his first offer so that means a lot to him and when he went out and saw the campus he was amazed,” Terrance Banks, Newton head coach, said. “It's Hollywood! He is already a magnet for the ball and makes plays but as his football IQ continues to increase he will be a great player. Last year he had a lot of sacks because we just rushed him. This year we are asking him to read and react more. As he continues to get better at that. He improves.”

Henderson and his teammates on defense have held three of the opposing five teams that they’ve played to 12 points or less. Newton’s defense has been instrumental to its 4-1 record entering region play.

Newton will travel to face Tucker on Friday to begin region play at 7:30 p.m.