UCLA Football Recruiting weekly update (2/26) – The road to 2019

The UCLA football team may be getting ready for spring practice, but the recruiting game never stops as Go Joe Bruin brings you the latest roundup of information regarding football recruiting.

The UCLA football team has moved on from National Signing Day 2018 and are now looking to get these newest Bruins up to speed and acclimated with Chip Kelly’s system as soon as possible.

RELATED: UCLA Football Spring Practice Preview 2018 – QB, RB, WR, TE, OL

With that part of Kelly’s plan in motion, he now refocuses his recruiting efforts to 2019, though there have been a few interesting updates regarding recent commits to the 2018 class.

Related Story: UCLA Football 2018 National Signing Day Recap

Commitments

Since our last weekly update, UCLA landed a few key walk-on commitments for 2018. Though they may not be nationally ranked or on the radar of other programs, Kelly has brought these players in for a reason. Remember, the new Bruin coach does not care about star-rating systems, he cares about players that can fit his scheme and execute and he landed a player on offense, defense and special teams to do just that.

★★ 2018 QB/ATH Josiah Norwood, 5-11, 165 lbs., Santa Margarita Catholic, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

UCLA has a bit of a logjam at quarterback, but that does not matter to Kelly who is looking for the best fit possible. Norwood might not get a look as a starter, but should add some quality competition to the mix.

2018 CB/ATH Alex Johnson, 6-1, 170 lbs., Loyola HS, Los Angeles, CA

Though he flew under the radar, Johnson is coming to UCLA. This dynamic athlete should do well with some coaching up, but also brings raw talent, highlighted by his speed, to Westwood.

★★★★★ (per ChrisSailorKicking.com) 2018 K Quentin Wallace, 5-11, 175 lbs.

UCLA is in good standing with the key special teams players that are already on the roster, but it is always good to look toward the future. Though the Bruins did not land a special teams player on NSD, they got one for 2018 anyway, even if he is a walk-on.

https://twitter.com/quinn1134/status/966500431412322306

Visits

Sunday, February 18

★★★ 2018 WR Golden Eke III, 6-1, 180 lbs. (Alcorn St., Army, Central Arkansas)

UCLA welcomed a 2018 prospect not too long ago and he could be seeing blue and gold as this speedy receiver, who has only had offers from smaller schools, took in Westwood a week ago.

Friday, February 23

★★★★★ 2019 WR Jordan Whittington, 6-1, 198 lbs., Cuero HS, Cuero, TX (Florida, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Alabama)

UCLA did a fantastic job recruiting receivers this last signing day and Kelly and his staff are not done as they welcomed 5-star prospect Whittington to Westwood on Friday and from the looks of it, he liked what he saw.

https://twitter.com/J_Whitt3/status/967164352791945216

Schools of Interest in ( ) — Information via 247Sports.com

Offers

★★★ 2019 LB Peni Naulu, 6-3, 218 lbs., Kapolei HS, Kapolei, HI

https://twitter.com/peniboi45/status/967598760736964608

★★★★ 2019 LB Daniel Heimuli, 6-2, 220 lbs., Menlo-Atherton, Menlo Park, CA

https://twitter.com/DanielHeimuli/status/967599516370182144

Making the cut

★★★★★ 2019 DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, 6-5, 235 lbs., Oaks Christian, Thousand Oaks, CA

https://twitter.com/kayvonT8/status/967591660757573633

Next: UCLA Football Spring Game and Practice Information

Also keep in mind, spring practice begins on March 6 at 7:15 a.m. at UCLA. The spring game at Drake Stadium on April 21 at 11:00 a.m.