UCLA Football Recruiting Reset: Pre Signing Day - Part 1

Quarterback

Commits: Josh Rosen.

Targets:  None.

Update:  In the past two seasons, UCLA has signed projects Asiantii Woulard and Aaron Sharp.  While both or neither may pan out, the staff hit a homerun in getting a commitment from Josh Rosen.  Rosen is rated as the #1 quarterback in the country by Rivals, Scout, and 247, and will likely challenge Jerry Neuheisel, Woulard, and Sharp for the starting role next season.

Rosen checks in at 6'4 205 lbs.  He's definitely not the caliber of runner of Brett Hundley, or Asiatii Woulard or Aaron Sharp, but he can move a little.  More importantly, he's got a great arm in terms of strength and accuracy.  Rosen is already enrolled and is the face of the class.

Running Back

Commits:  Bolu Olorunfunmi.

Targets:  Soso Jamabo; TJ Simmons.

Update:  UCLA is in a good spot with Paul Perkins returning for his junior season and Nate Starks returning as a sophomore behind him.  After that, there are some question marks.  UCLA signed Craig Lee a couple seasons ago, but after gray shirting, he failed to earn much playing time last season.  Adarius Pickett was given some opportunity at running back in camp, but he was moved back to corner out of necessity, although he may also be an option in the backfield going forward.

UCLA had commitments from both Olorunfunmi and Simmons, which had the Bruins set up for a bit of thunder and lightning.  Unfortunately, Simmons decommitted with rumors of an admissions problem, and now the staff is really hanging on Jamabo.  Olorunfunmi is a 3* bowling ball back out of Fresno that fits in nicely as good power back option.  He's firmly committed to UCLA at this point.  It's unclear at this point whether Simmons is completely out of the picture, so I will continue to list him here.

UCLA is also in the mix for Soso Jamabo, a consensus top 3 running back out of Texas.  At 6'2 210 lbs., Jamabo certainly looks the part.  He's also a very good receiver, and if he grows much taller, he may end up being better suited for receiver.  He reminds me a lot of Joe Mixon last year; big, strong, shifty, but probably lacking the elite top end speed.  Jamabo has offers from all over the country, and he'll most likely end up as a signing day announcement between home state Texas, Baylor and Texas A&M, and UCLA.

Wide Reciever/Y

Commits:  L.J. Reed; Ryan Newsome.

Targets: Tony Brown; Cordell Broadus; Chris Clark.

Update:  UCLA has some solid depth at wide receiver with Jordan Payton and Devin Fuller returning for their senior seasons, Devin Lucien, Kenny Walker, and Jalen Ortiz returning as juniors, and Eldridge Massington and Mossi Johnson returning for their sophomore seasons, as well as last year's trio of Austin Roberts, Alex Van Dyke, and Jordan Lasley all in the mix.  However, Mazzone has shown that his offense requires a lot of bodies here, and he spreads the ball out amongst everyone very well, so there is definitely need and room for more.

To date, the staff has nabbed commitments from 4* L.J. Reed, a big receiver out of Lodi, and 4* Ryan Newsome, an explosive slot type out of Texas.  At 6'3 200 lbs., Reed is a perfect example of the type of receiver that UCLA has brought in consistently over the past few seasons; big and strong with good straight away speed.  Newsome, on the other hand, checks in at 5'9 175 lbs., and is the type of explosive playmaker that the staff has not been able to land.

The staff is also keeping tabs on Tony Brown who recently committed to Texas Tech, and has picked up interest again with Cordell Broadus.  Tony Brown is a little bigger at 6'0 190, and reminds me of Mossi Johnson.  He might grow into an outside receiver, but he can start as a slot receiver and could prove to be a very strong pick up.  Broadus, of course, is Snoop Dogg's son, and had a lot of mutual interest with UCLA before falling off the radar somewhat.  He's a big body, standing at 6'3 192 lbs., but ASU appears to be the leader at this point.

At Y, UCLA lost long committed Alize Jones to Notre Dame.  Jones was rated the #2 tight end in the country out of Bishop Gorman, but the staff seems to have known the loss was coming and has been charging hard for Chris Clark, the nation's #1 tight end.  Clark was previously committed to Michigan, but decommitted when Brady Hoke was fired, and Michigan has been charging hard for Clark under Harbaugh, but at this point it looks like it's a 50/50 toss up on signing day.

Offensive Line

Commits:  T Zach Bateman; T Andre James; G Tevita Halalilo; G/C Fred Ulu-Perry.

Targets:  G Maea Teuhema; G Josh Wariboko; G Semisi Uluave.

Update:  There's no way of sugar coating the results; the offensive line has not gotten the job done over the past two seasons, specifically in pass protection.  In fairness, the line has suffered some unfortunate injuries and departures, but bringing in a talented class is an absolute must this season.  Klemm has shown to be capable in that regard.

The list of commits thus far is a very impressive group.  All are highly recruited 4* recruits that should push the starters immediately.  Zach Bateman is a massive 6'7 320 lbs. JUCO tackle that could step in and play next season.  Bateman is already enrolled and will be able to participate in Spring ball.  Andre James is a little undersized at 6'5 280 lbs., but he projects as a good run blocking RT.  Tevita Halalilo fits as strong run blocking guard, tipping the scales at 6'4 340 lbs., and Fred Ulu-Perry is perfectly sized for center at 6'2 295 lbs.  Ulu-Perry dominated during the all-star game practices playing against some tough competition, and he'll definitely be a candidate to play early.  Halalilo appeared to switch his commitment to ASU for a short period of time, but he is back on board and will be a Bruin next year.

Current LSU commit Maea Teuhema makes his first appearance on the recruiting reset this week due to a recent visit from the massive 6'3 340 lbs. 5* guard out of Texas.  Teuhema committed to LSU very early in the process, but the Bruin staff has been making a strong push and may have made some headway.  At this point, a flip to UCLA seems far fetched, but you have to credit the staff for putting in the effort.

UCLA would also take one of Josh Wariboko out of Oklahoma or Semisi Uluave out of Hawaii.  Wariboko is a little smaller at 6'3 305 lbs. compared to Uluave, who weighs in at 6'5 320 lbs.  Uluave has fallen in the rankings this season for whatever reason, but UCLA faces stiff competition from all over the country for both of these prospects.  Wariboko recently indicated that Ohio St. was his leader.

Athlete

Commits: Stephen Johnson III; Octavius Spencer.

I list Stephen Johnson and Octavius Spencer as athletes because they are both highly regarded at DB and WR and could end up at either spot.  Johnson has the size at 5'11 188 lbs. and speed to fit in as the explosive slot receiver that has eluded our offense, but he plays QB in high school and his position won't be determined until camp.  Spencer, on the other hand, checks in a little taller at 6'1 175 lbs. but projects as either a safety or receiver.  His highlight reel at WR is fun to watch due to his knack for making spectacular catches, and I can't help but think he'll get a shot to make plays on offense.

***

Fire away with your thoughts, and be sure to check back in tomorrow for a look at the defensive side of the ball.

Go Bruins!