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UCLA Football’s recent commits changes the narrative about recruiting

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins on the sidelines during the second half of the game against the Washington Huskies at the Rose Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins on the sidelines during the second half of the game against the Washington Huskies at the Rose Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA football team has received three big commitments this week, changing the narrative that the Bruins’ coaching staff is unable to land the top players they are recruiting.

To the casual observer, it seems that the UCLA football team has had trouble recruiting trail, which they have, but it has not been dire. At least not anymore.

RECRUITING RELATED: UCLA Lands LB Myles Jackson, WR Matt Sykes and RB Nathaniel Jones

During this latest recruiting cycle, the Bruins have been in the bottom fourth of the Pac-12 recruiting class rankings. Part of that has to do with the fact that the Bruins have not been able to bring in a lot of recruits and their composite rankings mostly have the Bruins landing 3-star players.

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Even with the three commitments this week, UCLA only has seven total, which is the 9th most in the Pac-12. That is less than half of what conference leading Oregon possesses, who so far has 15. The Ducks also have six 4-star recruits in their class (according to the 247Sports Composite rankings). UCLA only has one, QB Parker McQuarrie.

In addition to this, UCLA was leading with several commits who were expected to give their pledge to the Bruins, yet they eventually ended up committing to other schools. Rightfully, this caused some strange rumblings among the UCLA football fanbase, which is understandable.

After going 3-9 last season and being in the cellar of the recruiting class rankings, some fans have rightfully been disgruntled. This concoction does not offer a lot of hope.

The good thing is, it is still early in the recruiting cycle. If last season proved anything, it is that this team can improve. The Bruins were not very good to start 2018, but by season’s end, the offense was rolling. That is similar to what is happening in recruiting.

Current UCLA Football 2020 Commits

  • ★★★★ QB Parker McQuarrie (St. Paul’s School/Concord, NH) 6’7, 214
  • ★★★ WR Matt Sykes (St. Louis School/Honolulu, HI) 6’3, 203
  • ★★★ RB Nathaniel Jones (St. John Bosco/Bellflower, CA) 5’11, 205
  • ★★★ LB Myles Jackson (Mill Creek/Hoschton, GA) 6’2, 230
  • ★★★ DE/LB Jay Max Jacobsen (Temecula Valley/Temecula, CA) 6’4, 230
  • ★★★ S Jake Newman (St. John Bosco/Bellflower, CA) 6’1, 192
  • ★★★ LB Jeremiah Trojan (Hamilton/Chandler, AZ) 6’3, 225

Before this week, the Bruins only had four players committed. Today, they have seven talented players in the 2020 class. On Monday, the Bruins landed LB Myles Jackson, a very agile and aggressive player that could help out in the pass rush.

Yesterday, they landed their second offensive player as Hawaii product, receiver Matt Sykes, gave his pledge. Today, running back Nathaniel Jones committed, giving them a commit at QB, RB, and WR. But the question arises, can they continue to bring in the quality of recruits they brought in this week?

Next. UCLA Football: 2019 Post-Spring Game Projected Depth Chart. dark

That is yet to be seen. But for now, they have injected some life into the recruiting plan and have some clout going forward. Hopefully, it can help them garner a few more talented prospects.