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UCLA added a second tight end to the 2018 recruiting class yesterday when 3-star TE Dave Priebe flipped to UCLA from SMU. Priebe is a 6’6” tall, 212 pound tight end from Midway High School in Waco, TX.
He announced the flip on Twitter yesterday afternoon.
Go Bruins pic.twitter.com/c7CUXf6ixi
— David Priebe (@David_Priebe11) February 5, 2018
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It’s interesting to see that Priebe is being called a tight end. That’s because, in the nearly nine minutes of highlights from his senior season, not once did he line up in the traditional tight end position. It seemed like he lined up as a Y receiver about half the time and, the other half of the time, he was lined up in the backfield in a three-point stance like a fullback.
Now, don’t go confusing the fact that he lined up as a Y in the slot with the fact that he can’t block. Priebe most certainly can block. In fact, in his Hudl highlight video, when he is lined up in the slot, he is frequently seen blocking for the split end on the bubble screen. At the same time, when he’s lined up in the backfield, he’s frequently blocking for the run as well. You just can’t assume that, when he is lined up in the backfield, that Midway is running the ball because they are also frequently releasing Priebe to go out for a pass.
When Midway’s quarterback throws the ball his way, Priebe seems to have good hand as well, but, of course, this is his highlight reel. So, don’t expect to see a dropped ball included.
Take a look for yourself.
Priebe runs a 4.76 40-yard dash and a 4.2-second shuttle while also benching 285 pounds and squatting 405, which shows where he gets his blocking power from.
Priebe is the 23rd recruit to join Chip Kelly’s first recruiting class at UCLA. Here’s where the entire class stands the day before National Signing Day.
2018 UCLA Football Recruiting Class
| Recruit Name | Position | Current School | Composite Rating | NLI Submitted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit Name | Position | Current School | Composite Rating | NLI Submitted? |
| Bryan Addison | ATH | Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA) | 4-Star | Yes |
| Stephan Blaylock | S | St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) | 4-Star | Yes |
| Bo Calvert | LB | Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) | 4-Star | Yes |
| Chase Cota | WR | South Medford (Medford, OR) | 4-Star | Yes |
| Kyle Philips | WR | San Marcos (San Marcos, CA) | 4-Star | Yes |
| Kazmeir Allen | RB | Tulare Union (Tulare, CA) | 3-Star | Yes |
| Alec Anderson | OT | Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) | 3-Star | Yes |
| Atonio Mafi | DT | Junipero Serra (San Mateo, CA) | 3-Star | Yes |
| Tyler Manoa | DT | St. Francis (Mountain View, CA) | 4-Star | No |
| Chris Murray | OL | Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) | 4-Star | No |
| Dorian Thompson-Robinson | QB | Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) | 4-Star | No |
| Elijah Wade | DE | Arbor View (Las Vegas, NV) | 4-Star | No |
| Matt Alaimo | TE | St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) | 3-Star | No |
| Je'Vari Anderson | LB/DB | Laney College (Oakland, CA) | 3-Star | No |
| Baraka Beckett | OL | Palisades (Pacific Palisades, CA) | 3-Star | No |
| Kenny Churchwell | S | Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, AZ) | 3-Star | No |
| Elisha Guidry | DB | Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA) | 3-Star | No |
| Delon Hurt | WR | Servite (Anaheim, CA) | 3-Star | No |
| Patrick Jolly, Jr. | ATH | Newsome (Lithia, FL) | 3-Star | No |
| Steven Mason | DE | Southwestern College (Chula Vista, CA) | 3-Star | No |
| CJ Parks | WR | Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) | 3-Star | No |
| David Priebe | TE | Midway (Waco, TX) | 3-Star | No |
| Tyree Thompson | LB | LA Valley College (Los Angeles, CA) | 3-Star | No |
Welcome to Westwood, David!
Go Bruins!