Can Bieniemy and Foster bring in a top 20 football recruiting class for UCLA?

By definition, hope is a belief that something you want will happen and this is according to the Oxford dictionary. UCLA now has hope in more ways than one and even though Kelly was consistent in overall wins these past three seasons, Bruin fans for the most part, did not have hope in the program moving forward.

Hopeful individuals like Foster and Bieniemy can inspire and uplift those around them, spreading optimism and a belief in a better future in terms of recruiting. This is different from when Kelly was the head coach as he relied more heavily on the transfer portal instead of on high school recruiting to bring new players into the program.

These two men bring to the UCLA football program looks to propel the Bruins towards their goals of creating a top incoming recruiting class by giving the fans a reason to believe in their vision, donate to NIL, and support UCLA football in their recruiting efforts moving forward.

During the past months of uncertain times for UCLA football, the hiring of Foster and Bieniemy offers an anchor, reminding us that situations can improve. It helps us find a sense of control and agency, even amidst uncertainty. Nothing in guaranteed with the 2025 recruiting class but there is hope that it will be the best incoming class in years.

Let's first look at the best ranking of each class from 247, On3, ESPN, and Rivals these past five years.

2024 High School Recruiting Class Rankings: Rivals No. 79, 247 Sports No. 89, and ESPN No. 75

2023 High School Recruiting Class Rankings: Rivals No. 55, 247 Sports No. 37, and ESPN No. 31

2022 High School Recruiting Class Rankings: Rivals No. 64, 247 Sports No. 61, and On3 No. 37

2021 High School Recruiting Class Rankings: Rivals No. 33, 247 Sports No. 32, and ESPN No. 38

2020 High School Recruiting Class Rankings: Rivals No. 37, 247 Sports No. 33, and ESPN No. 35

Whether Eric Bieniemy and DeShaun Foster can bring in a top 20 football recruiting class to UCLA for 2025 is too early to say, but several factors suggest it's a possibility for Bruin fans to get excited about.

Key factors:

• Bieniemy's experience: Bieniemy has extensive experience coaching top offensive talent in the NFL, most recently as the offensive coordinator for the the Washington Commanders and before that, the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. His reputation and connections could be valuable assets in attracting elite recruits.
• Foster's recruiting prowess: As a former UCLA player and successful assistant coach for the Bruins, Foster has strong ties to the Southern California recruiting scene. He's already made a positive impression with his early recruiting efforts, securing a commitment from a four-star linebacker Weston Port according to Rivals for the 2024 class.
• UCLA's academic reputation and location: UCLA's prestigious academic standing and desirable location in Los Angeles are significant advantages in attracting top student-athletes and Foster looks to embrace that as a former student athlete from UCLA.

Overall, Bieniemy and Foster's combined coaching experience, recruiting connections, and UCLA's academic and locational advantages create a strong foundation for attracting top recruits. However, nothing is guaranteed in college football recruiting but there is hope in Westwood.