UCLA Football Recruiting: Walker is a Bruin, National Signing Day Opening Thread
by AHMB on Feb 1, 2012 6:00 AM PST
in Recruiting
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Signing day is here! Coach Mora was hired in mid-December, and he and and his staff have been preparing themselves for this day ever since. The recruiting class has been reformed after Rick Neuheisel was let go, and all of us at Bruins Nation have been cautiously optimistic about the coaching staff's ability to close on the recruits that have committed and those that are announcing today. We currently have 25 commits, and we'll keep track of the letters of intent as they come in throughout the day.
In last few hours reportedly we have picked up a commitment from WR Kenny Walker (a former Cal commit). The Walker commitment has been confirmed by multiple sources including BRO. His commitment is a significant one because WR is a position of need in this year's class. So welcome to Westwood Kenny!
In the past few days, we've seen targets Shaq Thompson and Jordan Payton commit to Washington, as well as Arik Armstead commit to Oregon. While they were all targets, it is simply a testament to Coach Mora & Co.'s tenacity to even have UCLA considered among any of them. Remember, when Coach Mora was hired, none of them were even looking at UCLA. Had the staff been given another month, who knows what could have happened.
We've also had some very good news lately. Devin Fuller and Simon Goines both committed over the weekend, with Fuller announcing Sunday and Goines announcing Monday. We look forward to the day these two step on the field and represent UCLA.
More after the jump.
- Javon Williams, (Arkansas, UCLA) [9 to 10 am PST, on FoxSportsArizona.com]
- Aziz Shittu, (Stanford, Cal, UCLA, Southern Cal) [2 pm PST]
- Bryce Treggs, (Cal, UCLA, Southern Cal) [3 to 5 pm PST, on FoxSportsWest.com]
- Randall Goforth, (Arizona St., UCLA, Washington) [3 to 5 pm PST, on FoxSportsWest.com]
- Bryan Harper, (Cal, UCLA, Oregon, Washington) [3 to 5 pm PST, on FoxSportsWest.com]
- Seth Jacobs, (Oklahoma St., Arkansas, UCLA, Colorado, around 6:30 pm PST]
So here we go. This is your opening thread for National Signing Day. Start filling it up with your thoughts, observations and any news that comes in UCLA related or otherwise that you find interesting. It's a big day for all of college football and this is your open thread to share the day with the rest of the community.
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GO BRUINS from the heart of SEC Country!
I would say Jim Mora Jr’s first recruiting drive as successful as the US Army’s recruiting drive on Dec 8th, 1941…. Let’s hope there is a few surprises left up his sleeve!
We already have a really solid class
From the combination above if we can get Golforth, Williams and may be Jacobs, this will be nothing short of fantastic.
Rumblings
that there may be a surprise or surprises. I was thinking Steven Moore but it seems like it is a bigger name. We’ll see if this happens or not.
Not here
but I’m dumbfounded by some fans who were a bit “disappointed” when Fuller verballed. Short term memory I guess. This class left a lot to be desired and what Mora & company have done in such a short amount of time is beyond impressive. Not if BUT when we win, this staff has the potential to kill it out on the recruiting trail for years to come.
We'd better win
This ain’t Neuheisel taking over with a bare cupboard and a difficult schedule. Pretty much just the opposite. Mora has been handed a great situation, and meeting our bare minimum expectations next year will still set him up with all the momentum in the world. He’d better not piss this opportunity away.
Agree
Many of us were looking to 2012 as the year we make the jump. This upcoming year still has that blend of experience & talent with schedule advantage for CJM to make a move. Our OL should be pretty solid with X-Man returning. We really need to find a QB to lead this team though.
Is Alosi allowed to work with these guys yet?
I want him to have as much time as possible whipping our team into shape.
FI can forget about getting any work done today.
Too excited.
Even typing is a problem!
I’m there with you!
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
So excited!
This site has gotten me so into signing day the last few years, I can’t wait! Way more excited about today then the Super Bowl this weekend :)
A long time coming!
After living the last 5 years overseas, mostly in the middle east, this is my first signing day in quite awhile… Awesome!
Much appreciation to both of you
and to all your brethren. Thank you.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
4 Receivers left for the taking
If we land 2 out of those 4, it will be nothing short of a miracle how Mora and CO. have put together this class. Still think Shittu will land at the Farm. If we do land him, Pac 12 OC’s will have nightmares scheming to stop McCarthy and Shittu. GO BRUINS!
by Waitingfornumber12 on Feb 1, 2012 7:11 AM PST reply actions
Seinfeld Reference
“Mora anything, Mora everything”
by Waitingfornumber12 on Feb 1, 2012 8:22 AM PST up reply actions
When a guy turns in his LOI...
That’s Amora!
Dump Dan!
by bruinclassof10 on Feb 1, 2012 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
A Curmudgeon's Rant
Sorry, but I can’t get into today’s TV spectacle.
Wonder why we have kids with a sense of entitlement and ego’s that fill the room BEFORE they’ve stepped onto a college field? Could it be that they think the whole world is holding its breath to see which hat they pick up? Who they fake out with a double touch?
I think this entire thing is absurd — another way that the TV/Sprts complex is driving college athletics in the wrong direction.
Bah. Humbug.
sjh
Buzz Kill 66
Back in 66, where the LOI’s delivered through snail mail? Sorry for the cheap shot, but you made me feel a little insecure for waking up extra early to get some work done so I can watch the LOI’s come in. : )
With the last football season and the current state of the basketball program, days like these are are something that can restore my faith in UCLA athletics and I choose to be uber excited about it.
by Waitingfornumber12 on Feb 1, 2012 7:32 AM PST up reply actions
I know what you mean
but you have to remember, this may be their only shot at “glory”, or attention, really. They could flame out and stink it up in college. They’re picking a college, it’s an exciting time. It’s not like LeBron “taking his talents” somewhere.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I blame it on "Big Fax Machine"
Fax Machine industry has to stay relevant so it’s riding this day for all it can.
In all seriousness though, I’ve been bouncing sites looking for info all morning. Can’t wait to see what happens.
Dreaming of Westwood while in permanent exile in Virginia
I get that, 66
I think there is a lot to what you say.
But I do enjoy the chance to cheer on our new football players, too, and it’s an exciting time to energize a beatendown fanbase that needs to up its energy level in the first place.
The best solution would be to only televise Bruin commits. I’ll have Morgan Center get on the networks about that one.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
interest begat the hype
Yes, National Signing Day is an official day now, and the production process involved with all the national and local press coverage can be over the top, but there’s a reason why it’s become this way. National Signing Day is like the day pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training; every team is injected with hope and promise. Fanbases, like ours, who’ve endured rough seasons get their first glimpse of the future, a future that might ease the pain. Of course, there will be disappointments in every recruiting class, and we all know that just getting to campus doesn’t mean much if there isn’t a coaching staff to develop them, but for one day we can cast aside our doubts and cynicism and hope that we just signed the next Maurice Jones-Drew or Kenny Easely or Cade McNown or Jonathon Ogden.
The application process is tough
There is a strict age requirement
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
i agree with you that is has come quite a bit of a spectacle…i remember a georgia recruit bringing out a bulldog puppy for his press conference.
in all honesty though, i’m okay with them having their “15 minutes of fame”. at least with this new coaching staff, it seems like once the nonsense of LOI day is over they’ll be getting straight to work on the upcoming season. GO BRUINS!
Donte Greenberry to ... Houston
https://twitter.com/#!/BrandonHuffman/status/164742875182137344
Formerly AllHailMightyBruins
It's Deontay
in case you’re looking for him on the recruiting sites :)
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
SHOCKER!!!
His cousin (Tee Shepard) lives with him and is already SIGNED with Notre Dame. Greeberry decommits from Notre Dame to go to Houston?! I’d love to hear the backstory to this!!
UW steals DE Pio Vatuvei from SUC
https://twitter.com/#!/JakeWorthen/status/164742826591137792
Formerly AllHailMightyBruins
Sark is still the coach
I’m not too worried.
by Waitingfornumber12 on Feb 1, 2012 8:27 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Rippy goes to Pitt. Won't be following Justin Combs. Was a long shot at best.
Now known as "Tazizona"
Just checked.
Says active. Should be good to go.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Maybe that curmudgeon thing will work out for you
It’s already working well for me
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Is this better.....
….will get to Tucson to torment Wildcats next week…..will try to get them to take DG off our hands.
Aka Tazmiami
The fact is...
even with the let down of some “long shots”, i’m left completely pleased knowing that Mora and co. are selling the program to top tier recruits. UCLA is a brand name known nation wide, finally someone GETS IT.
Neuheisel got it just fine
He just couldn’t win enough to keep it going.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I moved from Burbank to Albuquerque for work
I bet everyone at my work cant wait for this day to end cuz all i talk about is UCLA football lol. They’re all lobo fans here
by Bruinsmash on Feb 1, 2012 8:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions
It would have taken you to Denver.
Which works. I used to think I was in a flyover state. 66 recently reminded me that I am actually in a layover state.
So I got that going for me. Which is nice.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
G, come on man
You’ve got great snow, good beer, and cute girls. Is it any wonder Colorado is the healthiest state in the country?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Ted Miller reporting it as well
via Twitter
by bucknellbruin on Feb 1, 2012 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
It begins
flips are the best part of signing day…. nom nom nom, love me some drama
Jordan Payton flips to UCLA
♥♥♥♥ YANNI ♥♥♥♥
by Big Boutros on Feb 1, 2012 9:20 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
multiple sources are reporting
that Javon Williams’ parents are decked out in UCLA gear. They could be messing with everyone but this looks good for us
Aziz Shittu
just tweeted a pic of himself wearing a Cal hat. His whole recruitment has been full of stuff like this, so it’s not a sure thing, but it does look good for the Bears
never mind
just said that his friend took it then posted it on his account as a joke
by bucknellbruin on Feb 1, 2012 9:32 AM PST up reply actions
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