UCLA football head coach Chip Kelly has completed his first full recruiting cycle which has led to an underwhelming National Signing Day that will have the Bruins land outside the Top 20 in class rankings for the first time since 2011.
We are not even halfway through National Signing Day and I’m already in a pensive state of mind about UCLA football and their uneventful recruiting day.
RELATED: UCLA Football – National Signing Day 2019 – Live Tracker and Blog
Now granted, the majority of UCLA’s class (and most Division I programs) filled up on recruiting during the Early Signing Period. Today was a chance to land a few more big fish and finish the recruiting cycle strong. That has not happened.
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Since the Early Signing Period, UCLA has only received two commitments, both of which have signed their national letters of intent. So far, albeit early, the Bruins have not landed any other players.
Chip Kelly and his staff had a handful of uncommitted recruits they were attempting to bring in late, but as of now, three of them have decided against playing in Westwood. Defensive back Kenyon Reed, who was expected to pick UCLA, decided on Kansas State. It also looks like RB Jordan Wilmore (ASU/Utah) and Tuasivi Nomura (USC) will not be Bruins.
UCLA still has a chance for 4-star WR Puka Nacua, but we will not find out about that signing today as Nacua and his family are going to take some extra time with their decision.
Either way, this is an inauspicious start to NSD and it goes back to the plan of attack for recruiting. As GJB writer Michael Hanna wrote, “I can’t think of a stronger message to Chip that they have to actually, y’know, recruit and entertain kids in addition to rigorously evaluating them.”
Kelly’s plan for the future looks like it is developing nicely, but he can’t execute that plan without the proper tools. And this is not just about rankings, especially with a coach that can develop (although a few more elite players would be nice), this is also about the small number of players in this class, which will eventually affect depth. As of 10:45 a.m., the Bruins only had 18 NLIs. The top six Pac-12 teams in the recruiting class rankings are averaging over 23.
Kelly is trying to get the guys he wants, the guys that fit his system, but he also needs to get a few top-tier players, especially if he wants to compete nationally. There is a reason a team like Alabama is always at the top of the recruiting rankings and winning national championships.
So how does this change going forward? UCLA has to start pounding the pavement for the 2020 recruiting cycle now. Last weekend they had hosted several 2020 prospects, which is a start, but they also have to build relationships. They need to show these recruits that they are wanted and not just needed. They have to give them a reason to put on the blue and gold.
If this current recruiting plan keeps up, then players will not just walk away from UCLA, but Kelly will not have the players to initiate his master plan.