Football: UCLA struggles to get back into recruiting game

Call it the mad scramble in football recruiting, because it's crunch time. Players are starting to make commitments, with programs also making new offers.

Take the case with UCLA. In a year where the receiver position in Southern California has been stacked, the Bruins have struggled on who to recruit and then when someone went elsewhere, they didn't know what to do.

Why they waited so long to go after Westlake's Nelson Spruce is a mystery, though the firing of the two assistants in charge of his area, receiver coach Reggie Moore and the area recruiter, Chuck Bullough, provides a clue how disorganized the recruiting has been.

Spruce committed to Colorado on Saturday, and Colorado is also considered a leading candidate for Crespi's Devin Lucien, who UCLA also has offered.

Now UCLA has made an offer to Blair Holliday of Oaks Christian, a Duke commit. The scramble is under way.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[Gary G.]

UCLA is a total mess...thanks to Dan Guerrero, who hired him.

Neuheisel might as well be called COACH SHAM-WOW...

[getreal]

UCLA has no identity on offense and now will be switching defenses from 4-3 to 3-4...Until UCLA (Neuheisel) decides what the offensive focus is (pro set vs Pistol), no 4 star or 5 star recruit at a skill position will commit to Bruins...The indecision and confusion is astounding-it makes the Dorrell years look like Donahue...

[HUH?]

You're writing about a position that's not the top priority in recruiting right now. So there's a reason why UCLA is not "scrambling" to find receivers.

Before you make a fool of yourself Mr. Sondheimer, do your research. I heard your brother is a big Bruin fan, but I guess giving him a call would be too much research on your part...

Also as stated by others, recruiting has never been an issue with Neuheisel and for you to even bring this up right now, shows your lack of knowledge.

But be a slow day at the office. So I understand you're trying to make it seem like you're needed as a writer.

[Press Box John]

Recruiting is not the problem at UCLA. They have great talent. The head coach cannot waffle back and forth with Norm Chow vs. the "pistol" offense. Chow is one of the great offensive minds is college football history. He has won everywhere he has been an OC with the exception of UCLA. Rick should let Norm coach and he should go get the players in to be successful.

[cv]

Spin away Eric is only pointing out an obvious problem.

[caligriddude]

All of these kids are good, but with the stud Shaquille Evans ready to play next year, the Bruins would do well to get Holliday, Lucien, and Blackmon. Holliday is probably the most versatile type of athlete, Lucien has tremendous speed and hands, while Blackmon is a stud. These guys would be great targets for incoming frosh QB Hundley, to go along with Rosario, Marvray, Presley, Barr and Carroll. THE BEST junior receiver is Darreus Rogers from Carson - SC is already all over him and the Bruins need to get into Carson and get Rogers! Then, if combined with RB's Franklin, Jones, and Coleman, the Bruins could have an electric offense. Though they didn't get Spruce, Neuheisel would be smart to spend a bunch of time in Westlake the next couple of years: Oaks Christian's Richie Harrington and Chris Davis are studs, as are Westlake's DT Justin Solis, DB/RB Dashon Hunt, DE Johnny Stuart, and QB/WR Justin Moore. The other Ventura County kid he needs to get is the RB Wick from St. Bonaventure. Wick can play D-I at RB or DB.If Neuheisel can get some of these kids, some of the Servite, Crespi, Narbonne, Crenshaw and DeLaSalle kids, then he is not only getting top athletes, he is getting winners.

[Mike]

Bruin J...

I witnessed the recruiting first hand it needs to be questioned. If coach is such a great recruiter and UCLA is getting top notch players then he must not be a good football coach. The bottom line is they are not winning or making improvements. It's the same scenario every year. Something needs to change and it's not the assistant coaches. You’re correct about closing the deal and who signs the letter of intent but you have to be in the game to get that signature.

[BruinJ]

UCLA got a WR transfer from ND in Shaquelle Evans. They're also in the hunt with Devon Blackmon.

Not to mention, Spruce is ranked as the 134th WR, while Holliday is ranked 70th and Lucien is ranked 61st. So it appears they've targetted better WR's. Rick made a smart move in firing his coaches right at the dead period. He will probably have his replacements in place by the time recruiting heats up again.

You can try and criticize Rick for many things, inability to recruit is NOT one of those. The truth is that having verbals in November and December means nothing. The important thing is who signs the LOI.

[Mike]

I saw first hand how they recruit and it is no surprise how bad things are for UCLA football. Getting rid of the assistants wont help as the problem is the main guy. He has no idea what it will take to turn this program around as he is not dialed into California high school football. He can't even secure the top players in his own back yard so how is he going to get top players from out of the area? Until he is fired or resigns UCLA is in for the same year after year.

[phenoms]

Servite has a athletic wide receiver 6-2 205 kick off return speed! Robert Abeyta a talented smart football player seeking to play in the pack 12! We are big time bruin(s) fan(s)!!!