UCLA WR Devin Lucien ready for new start at ASU

Once he received his scholarship release from UCLA, Devin Lucien was in high demand. The 6-foot-1 receiver said he heard from nine Pac-12 schools, as well as Miami and Alabama.

In the end, Lucien decided Arizona State was where he wanted to play his final season. He signed with the Sun Devils this week and provided he graduates in June, he will be eligible to compete this season. Lucien last season was UCLA's third-leading receiver, catching 29 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. He said he's capable of much more.

I talked with Lucien about his transfer, his relationship with senior quarterback Mike Bercovici and the ASU-UCLA rivalry.

Why'd you want to leave UCLA?

"It just was the right move, man, honestly. It was a move I needed to make to further my career both on and off the field. It was just something that I felt like was right. What happened at UCLA happened at UCLA. I'm ready to move on."

What appealed to you about ASU?



"I'm really cool with Berco. We always played together. And (offensive coordinator Mike) Norvell was recruiting me ridiculously. I don't think I've talked to an offensive coordinator more than Coach Norvell in all my years at UCLA or even when I was getting recruited. Coach Norvell offered me when he was with Coach (Todd) Graham at Tulsa and he offered me when he was at Pitt. Now I'll be able to play with him at ASU. I really think everything happens for a reason. Everything was mutual between us. I want to get drafted as high as I possibly can and they think I can be a high (NFL) draft pick. I want to play back-side receiver and have looks and they want me to fill in for Jaelen Strong. They want to win championships, I want to win championships. Everything really was just mutual. My mom has breast cancer, so I wanted to stay as close to home as possible. Everything was good."

How far back do you go with Bercovici?



"Me and Michael Bercovici go back to probably our sophomore years of high school. We would see each other in summer camps. We'd throw together in the offseason. Then, we ended up going to rival high schools. He went to Taft, I went to Crespi. We battled against each other, but we always had respect for each other. And then when I decided to leave UCLA, I wanted to play for a quarterback that I had a good relationship with and there were two -- Brad Kaaya at Miami, who used to play at Crespi, and then there was Berco. If I could just show you everything Berco has sent me ... We're ready to get the season going. It's crazy. We're really, really excited for this. We really think we could make history, and I'm just not talking about me and him as individuals. I'm talking about the team -- period. I've done my research. I know their offensive-line situation. ... It's a good thing."

What did ASU tell you about how you'd fit in with the offense?

"That I'd be playing the 9-man position. They really want me to fill in for Jaelen. Jaelen was able to do a lot his first year at ASU and I feel like I can do the same. They want to help me accomplish my dreams, something I've never heard. I just feel really comfortable with this staff. They share my same passion. I committed in the morning (of my visit) when we had all went to breakfast together. Then we had an offensive meeting with just me and Coach Norvell and he was teaching me the plays as if I was already there. You should've heard how excited he was, telling me about the formations and everything. It was just a really good feel. My mom was in there with us. She knows nothing about football, but she could see his passion and my mom's really good at reading people. She felt good about it. I felt good about it. I'm sure something great is going to come out of this."

Of course, to play this season you have to graduate this summer. Are you on pace to do so?

"They wouldn't let me commit if I wasn't. I'm taking four classes (this quarter) which is kind of hectic, but it's definitely doable. I'll be fine. I wouldn't be doing all this to not graduate and then look like a complete idiot. My last day of school is June 9 and I plan on going to ASU that same day, to get up there as soon as possible. My degree (at UCLA) will be in African-American studies with a minor in communications. I plan on getting my degree in communications and business law at ASU. I'm really excited about it."

ASU and UCLA has turned into a pretty intense rivalry the last few years. At least ASU thinks so.

"They feel the same way. UCLA hates ASU with everything in them. Some people would think the ASU rivalry with UCLA is bigger than USC because since Coach (Jim) Mora and Coach Graham have been coaching, ASU has been more competitive (against UCLA) than USC. ... I didn't hate anyone on the team, I just hated the idea of Arizona State, but now I have to change my ways."

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