UCLA received a nonbinding commitment Wednesday from Chase Cota, a highly touted wide receiver from South Medford (Ore.) High who picked the Bruins despite strong family ties to Oregon.

Cota’s father, Chad, played for Oregon’s 1995 Rose Bowl team and his cousin Brady Breeze is a freshman safety for the Ducks. Chase Cota, who stands 6 feet 4 and weighs 190 pounds, picked the Bruins over Oregon, Alabama, California, Georgia, Notre Dame and USC.

Cota told reporters in announcing his decision that he liked UCLA receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty and called the hiring of new coach Chip Kelly “icing on the cake.”

UCLA also formally announced the hiring of Paul Rhoads as defensive backs coach in continuing its overhaul of its defensive staff.


It was all a dream pic.twitter.com/PY44fU3kAw — Chase Cota (@ccota_) December 13, 2017

ben.bolch@latimes.com

Twitter: @latbbolch