With National Signing Day over, we analyze the 2016 UCLA Football recruiting class position-by-position and look at how these new Bruins fit into their new team.
The 2016 UCLA football recruiting class has turned out to be one of the most impressive for Jim Mora in his time in Westwood. Not only were the Bruins a Tpop 10 recruiting class before National Signing Day, but several commitments on the day of had the Bruins climb several national rankings.
According to Scout.com, UCLA claimed the #7 class in the country. This is the second best rated class that Mora has brought in since he took over the program in 2012.
Though these rankings are arbitrary and vary from year-to-year, it shows the type of work Mora and his coaching staff are putting in to get the type of guys needed to elevate the program.
The UCLA Football team did just that on National Signing Day 2016 as they landed several key recruits, not just for their national ratings, but to fill specific needs.
With that, we will be looking at each individual position and the players that have committed to the Bruins and analyze what this means for the program going forward.
Next: Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks
Matt Lynch, QB, Bloomfield, CO (Legacy), 6’5″, 185, 3*
Devon Modster, QB, Las Flores, CA (Tesoro), 6’2″, 215, 4*
Now that UCLA has superstar quarterback Josh Rosen heading into his sophomore season, the question on everyone’s mind was, “who will back him up in 2016?”
Concerns arose after the 2015 season that there was no formidable back up to help them out this coming season. Though the Bruins got a commitment from Matt Lynch midway through 2015 (who has slowly been improving his game since committing and would have been the clear backup) the Bruins got some insurance with a second QB commit.
A few weeks ago, the quarterback position added some much-needed depth and talent when Devon Modster decided he wanted to play his college years in Westwood rather than Tucson. In late December, Modster had decommitted from the Wildcats and was leaning towards UCLA, who never stopped recruiting him during his commitment to Arizona.
With two QBs sending in their national letters of intent to play ball at UCLA, the Bruins have solved their problem with quarterback depth. Though it brings up the issue of having a backup quarterback battle in fall camp, it is a good problem for the Bruins to have.
What woils likely happen in this scenario is that Lynch could redshirt while Modster becomes the immediate backup to Rosen. Though this could all change with Spring and Fall Camps, UCLA no longer has to worry about their offense if by chance Rosen is unable to play.
Next: Running Backs
Running Backs/Full Backs
Jalen Starks, FB, Encino, CA (Crespi), 6’1″, 246, 3*
Brandon Stephens, RB, Plano, TX (Plano), 6’0″, 200, 4*
Running back depth has not been a problem for UCLA in recent years. Though they lose their workhorse Paul Perkins to the NFL draft, the Bruins are stacked this coming season with the likes of Nate Starks, Bolu Olorunfunmi, and Soso Jamabo.
On National Signing Day, the Bruins inked 4-star stud Brandon Stephens who not only brings in more depth, but talent to an already stellar RB crew.
UCLA also added a unique position player with Jalen Starks who is coming in as a fullback. The Bruin’s transition to a more power-oriented offense is necessitating the need for fullbacks and tight ends and UCLA is doing a good job of filling those needs. Starks could eventually backup current FB Nate Iese, but as Jim Mora has stated, there will be several players changing positions in the Spring, so Starks’ role as a backup is not set in stone, but it does help solidify that position.
Next: Receivers
Receivers/Tight Ends
Damian Alloway, WR, Fontana, CA (Summit), 5’10”, 170, 4*
Demetric Felton, WR, Temecula, CA (Great Oaks), 5’8.5″, 178, 4*
Theo Howard, WR, Westlake Village, CA (Westlake) 6’0″, 170, 4*
Dymond Lee, WR, West Hills, CA (Chaminade), 6’2″, 175, 4*
Adewale Omotosho, WR, Plano, TX (Plano East), 6’2″, 189, 4*
Jordan Wilson, TE, Nashville, TN (Montgomery Bell), 6’5″, 210, 3*
If there was ever a position group that the Bruins needed to stock up on, it was receivers and tight ends.
In recent years, the Bruins have missed out on several top recruits leaving them high and dry come National Signing Day, which was odd considering that former Offensive Cordinator Noel Mazzone heavily relied on receivers in his spread offense.
That changes this year as the Bruins not only got four receivers and a tight end, but the got five players that have an abundance of talent. Not only do they add depth and skill, but they something they have been sorely missing for several seasons… speed.
Though UCLA is moving to a more power-oriented offense, I can’t imagine that they will completely abandon the spread offense. Either way, with a handful of new receivers in the mix, the Bruins should be well fortified in the years to come.
Next: Offensive Line
Offensive Line
Alex Akingbulu, OT, Harbor City, CA (Narbonne), 6’5.5″, 250, 3*
Mike Alves, OG, San Diego, CA (St. Augustine), 6’5″, 318, 3*
Francisco Perez, OG, Baldwin Park, CA (Baldwin Park), 6′ 3″, 300, 3*
Jake Raulerson, C, Celina, TX (Texas), 6’5″, 280 – Transfer
After losing four offensive linemen after the 2015 season, the UCLA football team restocked with three offensive lineman on National Signing Day.
What further helps this situation is that the Bruins will bring in a fourth lineman as they landed a transfer from Texas, center Jake Raulerson. He is a rare case that has two years of eligibility left as a graduate transfer, so he will be able to help out on the line immediately. Most importantly he has in-game experience which will help ease the loss of Jake Brendel.
As for the new guys coming in, the Bruins add much-needed depth to a line that is still trying to find their identity, especially as the look to get more power up front. Though these new Bruins will need some time to develop, they could quite possibly be in the hunt for backup spots come Fall Camp.
Next: Defensive Line
Defensive Line
Breland Brandt, DE, Los Angeles, CA (Windward), 6’4″, 220, 4*
Jake Burton, DE, El Cajon, CA (Granite Hills), 6’6″, 260, 3*
Marcus Moore, DE, Encino, CA (Crespi), 6’3″, 240, 3*
Chigozie Nnoruka, DE, (American River), 6’2″, 285, NR
Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Portland, OR (Douglas), 6’2.5″, 260, 3*
Boss Tagaloa, DT, Concord, CA (De La Salle), 6’1″, 295, 4*
Nick Terry, DT, Elk Grove, CA (American River), 6’4″, 295, 3*
Just like the receiving unit, the defensive line is another position group that got a huge boost on National Signing Day.
After getting only one defensive lineman last season (Rick Wade) the Bruins more than stocked up with seven players this year. After UCLA’s run defense woes in 2015, which were fueled by injuries and inexperience, Jim Mora and company brought in much depth that is loaded with talent.
The class was already in great shape before NSD, but got kicked up a notch when Boss Tagaloa gave his pledge to the Bruins on ESPN. They also have some very physical players in Breland Brandt and Osa Odighizuwa (younger brother of Owamagbe Odighizuwa) who could immediately compete for back up spots.
On top of that, the Bruins get two players with college experience as American River College transfers Nick Terry and Chigozie Nnoruka bolster a line that was a little weak last season.
Next: Linebackers
Linebackers
Krys Barnes, LB, Bakersfield, CA (Liberty), 6’2″, 215, 4*
Mique Juarez, LB, Torrance, CA (North), 6’2″, 235, 5*
Lokeni Toailoa, LB, Rialto, CA (Carter), 6’0.5″, 215, 4*
Forget what you’ve heard about other schools, UCLA is becoming the new “Linebacker U”. Though the Bruins only got three linebackers in this class, they are three players that have a lot of raw talent and a lot of potential
UCLA had originally gotten commitments from Krys Barnes and Lokeni Toailoa, which would have been enough to help out the LB’s next year, but the icing on the cake was the commitment from five-star Mique Juarez.
Juarez was originally committed to USC, but dropped them during the fiasco with Steve Sarkisian. With UCLA going hard at Juarez, the Torrance product quickly started warming up to Mora and his staff.
Juarez is already a game changer and has been compared to Myles Jack. Though he has not yet reached his potential, he already has a wealth of talent and is expected to start in the Fall.
Next: Defensive Backs
Defensive Backs
Keyon Riley, S, Anaheim, CA (Servite), 6’2″, 190, 3*
Leni Toailoa, S, Rialto, CA (Carter), 6’1″, 190, 3*
UCLA only landed two defensive backs in this class, but don’t worry, last season they loaded up with secondary players so the addition of Keyon Riley and Leni Toailoa is an added bonus.
This year, the key was getting a couple of skilled guys who will be able to come in and give the DBs some more depth. Though they will compete for back up spots during Fall Camp, it is more than likely that both will redshirt in 2016 unless they prove that they can not only handle Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley’s schemes, but excel to the level of the current secondary starters.
Either way, the UCLA Football team is fully stocked in the secondary and should continue to have the Bruin’s defensive backs as one of the best in the conference in 2016.
Next: Athletes
Athletes
Brandon Burton, ATH, Garden, CA (Serra), 6’0″, 185, 4*
Darian Owens, ATH, Fresno, CA (Clovis), 5’11”, 200, 4*
The Bruins got commitments from a pair of players that are very versatile on both sides of the ball, though these two players will have their roles specified once they are officially in the program.
The word on Brandon Burton is that he will play on the defensive side as a safety. That would officially give UCLA 3 DBs for 2016.
The news on Darian Owens is that he will see time as a receiver. The only snag in his situation is that even though Owens has been a long time UCLA commit, he is the only player that has not sent in his National Letter of Intent to the UCLA Football coaches.
As of now, it has not been specified why this is, but apparently Owens has has not decommitted and still looks to be on his way to Westwood.
Next: Special Teams
Special Teams
Johnny Den Bleyker, LS, Hayward, CA (Moreau), 6’0″, 200, 2*
Austin Kent, P, Charlotte, NC (Providence), 6’2″, 210, 3*
J.J. Molson, K, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC (Abbott), 6’0″, 190, 3*
Special teams is not the most glamorous of positions, but when you consider the players that UCLA got on National Signing Day, the Bruins struck gold with a few very players that should prove to be glorious.
UCLA struggled with special teams last year and to make matters worse their kicker, punter and long snapper have all moved on. Because of this, it was imperative that UCLA stock up on these vital positions.
The Bruin coaching staff not only did that, but went out and got three of the top players at their position. Johnnny Den Bleyker, Austin Kent and J.J. Molson were all ranked #2 at their respective positions, so UCLA did not just bring in guys to fill positional needs, but they essential brought in some of the best players to improve the standing of UCLA’s special teams.
Next: National Signing Day Tracker
Overall, this year’s recruiting class did not just bring in talent, but filled the needs of several positions, which is the most important thing the Bruins needed to focus on this year. On top of that, it reaffirmed the fact that Mora and his staff can go out and land some big time recruits, which will pay dividends in the coming years.
Go Bruins!