ALL GOOD IN WESTWOOD

Edison High’s Tevin McDonald gives a verbal commitment to UCLA.

By George Takata
VSP Senior Writer:

He still has his senior year to go and his family has a rich USC background, but Edison defensive back and wide receiver Tevin McDonald is already verbally committed to play his college football at UCLA.

“It was real exciting,” McDonald said. “At first, I wanted to take my time with the whole process but to get it over with now I fel like I can have a good senior year, focus on my stuff and get ready to play.”

Tevin’s dad Tim played for USC, and older brother T.J. will play for Pete Carroll’s Trojans starting this upcoming season. But Tevin McDonald says the Bruins were too good of a fit for him to pass up.

“I feel real comfortable at UCLA,” said Tevin. “They’ve been a favorite since I was little even though I always had a thing for USC because of my dad and my brother but I always had a special place for UCLA too, and when I got the offer I couldn’t turn it down. I know it’s a great fit for me. I’m just excited to get in there and show them what I can do.”

Tevin recorded 82 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and six pass breakups for Edison last season. Offensively, he caught 32 passes for 627 yards (19.6 average) and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores. Since he won’t be playing on offense in college, McDonald says he’ll really enjoy that next season.

“This will be my last year playing offense and then officially just straight defense. Corner, maybe safety, depending on how I grow,” McDonald said.

Even though proud papa Tim was groomed to hate the Bruins, Tevin says his dad just wanted him to go where he would be the happiest.

“At first he was kind of shocked that UCLA was a favorite, but he knew that was a good fit for me and he’s excited about it,” Tevin said.

Now he’ll play against his brother for bragging rights starting in 2010.

“I won’t get a chance to hit him, but I’ve never played against him before, so that should be exciting,” said McDonald. “It’ll be exciting to play each other and that should be fun for my family and people who are close to me.”

There’s still plenty of unfinished business for Tim and Tevin together, as they will try to bring home a valley championship for the Tigers for the first time since Tim McDonald became Edison’s head coach.

“I feel like that’s the only thing left,” Tevin said. “Playing all these years, Edison always makes it (the playoffs) but we just haven’t had that extra piece of the puzzle to win the valley championship. I know where I’m going to college, I’m committed, I’m solid, so the only thing left for me to do is have a great senior year and win the valley championship.”

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