UCLA Football Signing Day Position Hits And Misses
With National Signing Day over, it is time to reflect on the fantastic Top 10 class UCLA Football pulled in. Though head coach Jim Mora and Company secured several top prospects, they also missed out on some very vital positional needs. Let us take a look at how UCLA did with both filling their team needs and what the Bruins missed on key positions.
Position Abundance
UCLA Bruins
Offensive Line
Zach Bateman, OT, 6’7″, 320 lbs.
Tevita Halalilo, OG, 6’4″, 340 lbs.
Andre James, OT, 6’4″, 278 lbs.
Fred Ulu-Perry, C, 6’2″, 295 lbs.
Josh Wariboko, OG, 6’3″, 315 lbs.
One of the things that Mora needed to do when he got to Westwood was strengthen the offensive line. That does has not been a problem since he arrived at UCLA as he has been able to secure a ton of O-linemen every National Signing Day. 2015 was no different as UCLA pulled in five players that will not only add depth, but talent as well.
Defensive Backs
DeChaun Holiday, CB, 6’3″, 195 lbs.
Stephen Johnson III, CB, 5’10”, 187 lbs.
William Lockett, CB, 6’0″, 182 lbs.
Nathan Meadors, S, 6’1″, 194 lbs.
Colin Samuel, CB, 6’2″, 175 lbs.
Octavius Spencer, CB, 6’1″, 170 lbs.
It seems pretty obvious that Mora definitely wants to protect the air on the defensive side of the ball. Though it was former defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich that utilized the nickel defense as a base package (more or less) throughout last season, make no mistake that Mora wants to continue that tradition as he stocked up on six players.
Positional Misses
Wide Receiver
Cordell Broadus, WR, 6’2″, 195 lbs.
UCLA had two wide receiver commitments the day before National Signing Day. By the end of NSD, he had one, which did not include either of the two from the day before. The Bruins had 4-star WRs L.J. Reed and Ryan Newsome heading to Westwood, but personal issues kept both from signing their national letter of intent with UCLA. Around midday, the Bruins got their only WR commitment from 4-star Cordell Broadus, who was expected to sign with the Bruins.
The only good thing about missing out on a few key WRs is the fact that UCLA had stocked up last year. To add, the Bruins have Jordan Payton, Devin Lucien and Devin Fuller returning next season. Though it is not crucial to have gotten so many players at this position, it will definitely be a priority next NSD.
Defensive Line
Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers offensive players line up against UCLA Bruins defensive players in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. The Bruins won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Wade, DE, 6’5″, 230 lbs.
Mora likes to play a 3-4 defense instead of a 4-3 (3 defensive linemen as opposed to four) so this year the Bruins found themselves a bit thin. UCLA is getting a physical specimen in Rick Wade, but could have done with NLIs from previously committed Cassius Peat and potential commit Joseph Wicker.
Though the Bruins are not in dire need of more defensive linemen at this moment, it will definitely be a concern next year, especially if Eddie Vanderdoes and Kenneth Clark opt for the NFL Draft after 2015.