Justin Combs’ dream got a little bit sweeter.
The Iona Prep cornerback and son of rap mogul Sean (Diddy) Combs signed his National Letter of Intent to play football at UCLA next season with his famous father and plenty of family by his side. When he picked the Pac-12 school back in November, head coach Rick Neuheisel had just been fired. He has since been replaced by former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks head man Jim Mora Jr.
“When I was younger I loved the Falcons and Mike Vick,” Justin Combs said. “He was my favorite coach. Now I am like, ‘Wow, I’m about to play for him.’ It’s like a dream come true.”
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Combs, an excellent cover corner, called himself blessed to be able to sign. The thought of getting to play for a former NFL coach has made him extremely excited to get to UCLA.
“He’s been to the league,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to go to the league. If you get to practice with a guys that been there you are more prepared for when you get there.”
He played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in January after helping lead the Gaels to the CHSFL Class AAA semifinals. He filled in for injured quarterback Mario Biaggi in the quarterfinals against Chaminade and scored twice on the ground and also threw a touchdown pass in a 24-20 win.
Iona Prep coach Vic Quirolo has called Combs the most dedicated athlete he’s ever had at the New Rochelle. Combs’ father attended the majority of his son’s games and even acted as one of the team’s water boys in a playoff loss to St. Anthony’s.
“He will still be there to support me,” he said.
Justin Combs spent the summer attending as many college camps and clinics as possible to improve his game and even worked out with Jets star cornerback Darelle Revis. He joked that he might have to pass along some of Revis’ tips to coach Mora.
“It was a long process, but it was worth it,” Combs said. “I got chills just signing it. It’s finally here.”