Justin Combs will get his chance to be a star in Hollywood.
The son of rap mogul Sean (Diddy) Combs announced his commitment to UCLA early Tuesday. The Iona Prep senior cornerback chose the Pac-12 school over Illinois, Virginia and Wyoming, among others. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Combs is coming off a season where he helped lead the Gaels to the CHSFL Class AAA semifinals and he’ll compete in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl next month.
“Today I am truly blessed and thankful to accept my scholarship and give my full commitment to UCLA,” Justin Combs said in a statement. “Playing Division I football was a lifelong dream of mine and through hard work I was able to achieve it.”
He visited UCLA in August and fell in love with the program, environment and tradition. Combs told Scout.com that he has faith in the program and that everything will work out with the coaching staff. Head coach Rick Neuheisel was fired over the weekend. The Bruins face Oregon in the Pac-12 title game Friday, which will be Neuheisel’s final game on the sidelines.
“My love for UCLA is so strong,” Combs told Scout.com. “I trust and know everything will work out.”
UCLA is getting a player whose speed and smarts made him a key figure in the Iona secondary. Combs also 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 with the Gaels.
“It’s just his drive,” Quirolo said last month. “I remember his freshman year he said he’s gonna play Division I football. He’s done everything in his power to do that.”
Combs spent the summer attending as many college camps and clinics as possible to improve his game. He even worked out in New Jersey with Jets star cornerback Darelle Revis. Combs often said he’s achieved success because of his hard work and not his superstar dad. Sean Combs was in the stands for many of his son’s games and on the sideline handing out water in the playoffs against St. Anthony’s.
“This is everything a father could want for his son, for him to excel at what he loves to do and is truly passionate about,” Diddy said in a statement. “Justin is a shining example of what hard work, determination and a strong mentality can achieve.”