Devin Aupiu back in the fold for UCLA, recommits after Notre Dame stint

Devin Aupiu is coming back to Westwood.

The 6-foot-5 linebacker enrolled at Notre Dame in February, but following the spring semester, Aupiu entered the transfer portal on June 29. One of the favorites to haul him in was UCLA football, where Aupiu initially committed back in April 2020.

Aupiu's six-month stint with the Fighting Irish proved to be only a detour, however, as he announced his decision to return to the Bruins on Monday following weeks of buildup and speculation.

The rumors significantly heated up when Aupiu was spotted and caught on camera at Wasserman Football Center during Saturday's practice. It turns out the speculation that followed was well-warranted, and Aupiu is now on his way home.

Aupiu was given three stars by the 247Sports Composite rating coming out of Pacifica High School (CA). Based on 247Sports' own rankings, Aupiu was the No. 50 linebacker in the country and No. 38 overall player in California.

Thanks to the length and size Aupiu brings to his position, he is an intriguing athletic prospect, even reportedly becoming a standout at Notre Dame's spring practices. Outside of the three edge specialists who were a part of UCLA's 2021 recruiting class, not a single other linebacker committed to join the program out of high school this past cycle.

Aupiu is the second rising freshman transfer the Bruins have secured this summer, the first being defensive lineman Jay Toia, who was an early enrollee at USC before jumping ship for UCLA in June.

Both Aupiu and Toia's eligibility for the 2021 season has yet to be determined.

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