QB Justyn Martin commits to UCLA, he likes the direction of the program

Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins have landed a commitment from a top 10 in-state player, a quarterback with big-time offers, and a four-star with still so much room to grow.

Justyn Martin committed to the Bruins over Michigan and Ole Miss.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior out of Inglewood (Calif.) ranks No. 206 in the nation according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. On3 ranks Martin slightly higher at No. 132 player in the On300 and he decided to stay home.

“I really like the direction the UCLA program is going,” Martin told On3. “Coach Kelly has done it before at a big program, he knows how to win, and he is turning it around at UCLA.

“That win over LSU was big early in the season, they have had some big wins this season, and the team is playing much better. I see coach Kelly continuing to do good things at UCLA.”

Coach Kelly was actually the first person to find out about Martin’s commitment. At the end of his official visit last weekend, Martin and his family were meeting with coach Kelly.

The decision had been made, but Martin was ready to deliver the news to his future coach.

“I wanted to do it in person, so that is why I told coach Kelly about my commitment in his office. I probably made the decision a couple of weeks ago after talking to my family about it, but I wanted to tell UCLA in person.”

Kelly was happy with the news and Martin’s commitment gives the Bruin 12 with just under seven weeks until the Early Signing Period.

Martin will graduate in December and enroll at UCLA in January.

Martin and Gunderson have a strong bond

Even before Ryan Gunderson started coaching quarterbacks for coach Kelly, he was getting to know Martin.

Gunderson was at San Jose State before joining the Bruin’s staff in February. Martin’s connection to Gunderson goes back there. He was being recruited by the Spartans.

Once the NCAA lifted the ban on visits June 1, Martin got to UCLA. He worked out for coach Gunderson, and that is when things went to the next level.

“I was offered by UCLA in June after I camped there and me and coach Gundy have been talking a lot since,” Martin said. “He is a laid back coach that I like and I like how he is straight forward.

“He has recruited me hard, he made me his guy, and we have just clicked. Coach Gundy is a good coach that is very informative, and someone that I trust.”

It wasn’t just about football for Martin

The new UCLA commit is excited about the future under coach Kelly and coach Gunderson, but there was more to his decision than that.

“I have been to most of the home games this season, so I have been around the school a lot,” Martin said. “It is a true Westwood vibe around UCLA. The people present themselves well, they are well educated, and it is a great school.

“I know going there will set me up outside of football. The education is great and that was part of my decision too.”

Martin was a one-time California commit and now, and two of his teammates, running back Tomarion Harden and athlete Clint Stephens are headed for Westwood.