UCLA Football: Positions of need on National Signing Day for the Bruins

The UCLA football team has addressed several needs during the 2019 recruiting cycle, but there are still a few in need of commitments on National Signing Day.

The UCLA football team has had an underwhelming 2019 recruiting cycle. The Bruins currently have 18 signed or committed recruits, which have fulfilled several of the roster’s needs, but there are still a few positions the Bruins’ coaching staff need to address.

With National Signing Day upon us, Go Joe Bruin looks at five positions the Bruins have to try and fill up on and the likelihood the Bruins land players for these positions.

Quarterbacks

Signed/committed: 1 | Need: 1

Currently, the Bruins have one QB signed, 3-star Chase Griffin, the Texas Player of the Year. Kelly was trying to land another and Jayden Daniels was at the top of the list. Unfortunately, he chose to go to Arizona State. Kelly will still need another QB, especially since they lost two in the last year, Devon Modster (transfer) and Wilton Speight (graduation). At this point, Kelly might need to focus all of his attention on getting a signal caller for 2020.

Tight Ends

Signed/committed: 1 | Need: 1

We saw how the tight end position has become a valuable asset to Kelly’s offense, and having an abundance would help the coach down the line. UCLA loses their top TE as Caleb Wilson has opted for the NFL Draft, so Kelly needs to fill his spot. He already has Michael Martinez out of Mater Dei, but would do well to land a second in this class. UCLA is targeting 4-star Arizona product Kyle Patterson but might be more likely to land Garmon Randolph from Georgia if he does not choose Baylor.

Offensive Line

Signed/committed: 4 | Need: 1-2

The offensive line will always be a group in need of players. UCLA already has four players, which includes the big fish Sean Rhyan, but they could do with one or two more. Currently, the pickings are slim and the players that UCLA has offered are not cozying up to the Bruins. If UCLA does land another OL, it might come from a late under-the-radar offer or transfer.

Defensive Line

Signed/committed: 3 | Need: 1

UCLA did better than expected with their defensive line during the early signing period. Not only did they land 3-star brute Datona Jackson, but also snagged Siale Liku. A few weeks ago they added a third commit as Noah Keeter has joined the party. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of other DLs out there so if the Bruins landing a few more, as stated above, it will probably come from a late offer or transfer.

Linebackers

Signed/committed: 2 | Need: 1-2

The Bruins have John Ward and Hayden Harris coming in but that is not nearly enough. Depth has been a huge issue for UCLA the last few years and they need bodies. Tuasivi Nomura is looking at the Bruins, but he is leaning toward USC. The Bruins were in with Daniel Heimuli, but it looks like he might be heading to Washington. If UCLA does not snag another LB in this class, then that will set them back and give them more work for 2020.

Next. The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time. dark

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