UCLA Football Recruiting Roundup: Season Reset

by Josh Schlichter on Jan 11, 2011 7:32 AM PST

Bumped. -BN

With the football season about to reset for the Bruins, it's time to focus on some recruiting. UCLA has acquired enough talent at the spots needed for a good offense, and developed enough (supposed) talent to be competitive on defense. Here is our recruiting class (63rd overall) to this point (via Scout):

QB	5	Brett Hundley
C	8	Jacob Brendel
TE	25	Raymond Nelson
OLB	31	Aaron Wallace
OG	45	Ben Wysocki
DE	60	Sam Tai
OLB	JC	Ryan Hofmeister

But what else can Neuheisel conjure up? We remember the MONSTER recruiting class that CRN wrangled last year spearheaded by guys like Jordan Zumwalt, Dietrich Riley, Cassius Marsh, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, and Malcolm Jones, all of whom received playing time (sometimes not enough) last season. It will be extremely hard for CRN to follow up that recruiting class, but then again, there are some big names out there that have purchased a UCLA cap to size up on signing day.

Tony Steward Saint Augustine, FL #1 MLB

Never say never right? He visited UCLA for the crosstown rivalry, and was surprised to say the least:

“I talked a lot with [UCLA commitment] Brett Hundley, the quarterback, and he was just telling me everything about UCLA,” said Steward. “I was already considering them, but now I’m really thinking about them.”

If Steward is looking to stay closer to home (as speculated) Florida State's welcome party should be out in full force on the 21st.

Stefan McClure Vista, CA #7 CB

Gold and Huffman both agree that this top tier corner should be committing to UCLA soon (the fourteenth that is). He has not committed yet, and has one visit remaining (UCLA). While undersized, McClure has the frame that can be easily filled out by Coach Linn.

Cyrus Hobbi Scottsdale, AZ #1 OG

While Arizona State appears to be Hobbi's favorite early in the offseason, Hobbi has his sites set on LA as well:

"You want to be in a place where the academics are sound and there's a good plan in place. Also it's a better chance to spend extended time with the coaches and build those relationships. I feel comfortable with the schools I'm high on."

Cyrus would be a great addition to Palcic's arsenal. Let's see what CRN can do on the 21st for his visit.

The big names are out there, but what about that gaping hole that David Carter left? UCLA needs to find some size in the middle, and so far, it is a mixed bag to fill that hole with a recruit or two.

Neuheisel has 3 defensive linemen on his radar: Christian Heward (San Diego) Brennan Scarlett (Portland, OR) and Kevin McReynolds (Washington, DC).

Christian Heyward, who was nearly a lock for UCLA, has since regressed, and is waiting for the DC hire to pan out- Gold conceded that it is not looking good for UCLA. Should UCLA hire a new Defensive Coordinator before the 15th (the date of Christian's official visit) Heyward's intentions could change.

Brennan Scarlett announced his signing date to be sometime next week, but UCLA will need to best USC, Stanford and Notre Dame to secure the 4 star Defensive End.

McReynolds says UCLA is "still in play."

Visits

1/11 - 1/17

Pos	Nat'l Rank	Nat'l Rating	Name School, Hometown		Interest Level	Offer?
CB	7		Stefan McClure (Vista HS) Vista, CA	5-11/175/4.55	Med	Yes
DT	17		Christian Heyward (Point Loma Senior HS) San Diego, CA	6-3.5/266	Med	Yes
DT	32		Danny Shelton (Auburn Senior HS) Auburn, WA	6-3/286/5.30	None	Yes
OT	40		Torian White (Lakewood HS) Lakewood, CA	6-6/280/4.95	Soft Verbal	Yes
DE	50		Faigame Lopa (Grant Union HS) Sacramento, CA	6-2/245	Med	Yes
OT	JC		Fou Fonoti (Cerritos) Norwalk, CA	6-5/295/5.00	Med	Yes
OLB	JC		Ryan Hofmeister (Riverside) Riverside, CA	6-1/210/4.70	Verbal	Yes

Recap:

All in all, I am most interested to see how Neuheisel can acquire size and talent on the defensive line with the peculiar trio listed above. It would be awesome to see Neuheisel lock down some of the elite talent that still has UCLA on the short list, but winning is most important right now, rather than building up. CRN can recruit when he has to; talent is not the problem anymore in skill spots.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Comments

thanks for this

i haven’t been following recruiting like I usually do, so it’s good to see a good roundup. CRN is renowned for his closing ability, so hopefully he can big up a few big names.

Also I may be remembering wrong, but I’m pretty sure this was going to be a small class regardless, due to the number of scholarships available. Anyone know the exact number we have available?

by bucknellbruin on Jan 8, 2011 2:59 PM PST reply actions

We are adding three due to Moore, Ayers and Allmond's departures.

That should help add a bit of breathing room in the final hours.

by LongtimeBru on Jan 8, 2011 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

Those

were likely accounted for long before now. In any case, I don’t think we’ll even need to use them this year.

by OswegoBruin on Jan 10, 2011 9:29 AM PST up reply actions

I disagree

that “talent is not a problem anymore in skill spots.” We are set in the WR position in 2011. But Rosario, Embree, and Smith are all going to be seniors. That means in 2012 and beyond, we only have Marvray, Carroll, and Evans to count on. We need at least one or two top WRs in this year’s class or else there’ll be gaps in a couple years. It’s disappointing that we are unable to get any of three top local WRs. And it makes it worse that two of them are going to sc.

by EdO'B3017 on Jan 8, 2011 3:07 PM PST reply actions

Good point

But Neuheisel (which could be Dorrell-esque) is most concentrated on the here and now. I am rooting for him, he should be and needs to be more focused on filling the gaps that are in the team that he has (On the D-Line), not the supposed 2012 team.

by Josh Schlichter on Jan 8, 2011 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

I see you point

but if we are going to compete for Pac-12 championship/ BCS every year, we need continuity in all positions so we don’t have to fill in these gaps in different spots every year. While other programs just reloading, we are in a rebuilding mold year after year. We need to strengthen our weak links without neglecting our strong ones.

by EdO'B3017 on Jan 8, 2011 3:27 PM PST up reply actions

Definitely true

2 WR/DBs that stole a laptop and were dismissed last year, and we should be able to “reload” if Neuheisel can keep his job. That starts by filling the gaps in recruiting and on the staff (Which has a hole in the WR coach spot as well)

by Josh Schlichter on Jan 8, 2011 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

Do we have any chance of flipping Momba?

I know there was some talk of him flipping earlier, but that seems to have faded. Anyone have an update?

by Karl II on Jan 8, 2011 5:30 PM PST reply actions

He had an appointment with CRN and Chow which they did not keep.

I’m told his grades are going to keep him from coming to UCLA.

Although, he is wavering in his commitment to South Central. He is very gettable. But, the coaches are not pursuing him.

The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jan 8, 2011 5:48 PM PST up reply actions

They stood him up or cancelled?

Big difference. For now, and future recruits.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 9, 2011 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

I think our class from last year is ready to really make an impact this year.

So yes, we need to add depth, but I agree that we’ve filled the important positions. Riley was at the Woman’s game today, and man, what a neck that kid has on him. I’m really looking forward to next season. Knock on wood, but with everyone healthy, and with some returning, and with the youngins becoming playing age…I think we’re in really good shape.

Go Bruins!

by uclaluv on Jan 8, 2011 7:57 PM PST reply actions

thanks, 03rd

for upping our 3rd down completion percentage again :-)

by britishbruin on Jan 9, 2011 11:30 AM PST reply actions

No problem

I’m not over football just yet!

by Josh Schlichter on Jan 9, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

Coordinators

Rick better shore up our coordinator situation soon because many of the “on the fence” recruits have stated that they are interested in UCLA but want to see who the new coordinators are. Makes perfect sense if you’ve been recruited primarily by one guy then he get’s canned or “might” get canned. Then you’re pretty much on the outside looking in trying to make a decision on your own without all the gentle nudges and reassurances.

As of now, a couple good hires can make a huge difference in recruiting. As Rick said when he was hired, his most important recruiting was the recruiting of his coordinators. Hope this waiting game works. Times ticking!!!!

by suctoejam on Jan 10, 2011 10:03 AM PST reply actions

Heyward

He openly indicated that he was waiting for a hire to make his decision; a hire shouldn’t be rushed, but it should be made quickly (Thanks Coach)

by Josh Schlichter on Jan 10, 2011 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

Bruin Staff

CRN should make contact with Fangio or someone with excellent recruiting credibility and excitement to infuse this team with passion and hard work. I heard some recruits committing to schools because they’re program was moving in the right direction and wanted to part of that. Why can’t that be said for UCLA?

by ChuchDawg on Jan 10, 2011 12:15 PM PST reply actions

It WAS said for UCLA

last year, which definitely helped CRN close some big recruits.

This year will be tougher, but it’s not just about our record, there are many other factors in our favor…here’s to an impact hire…

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Jan 10, 2011 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed

Something, ANYTHING to break the general malaise around our program is a must get. You can tell things are getting desperate when you give up on hoping for individual recruits and just hope we can NOT make an uninspired hire.

This school and this program are taxing to follow religiously, but I try my best. I really really want to land someone of consequence, and this Chow situation is just insane. CRN really needs to get his act together or signing day could be terrible.

by OswegoBruin on Jan 10, 2011 1:15 PM PST up reply actions