Football Recruiting
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Rabid Bruin
Joined: 9/26/23 Posts: 2,043
Guys, it’s early but UCLA has a Top 25 ‘26 class
Posted Fri, Feb 07 11:57 am (Edited Fri, Feb 07 12:06 pm)
I had forgotten that it could be like this. A few years ago I remember arguing with someone who said it’s not reasonable to expect a higher ranked class than even Vanderbilt. I instinctively knew that was preposterous.

https://247sports.com/Season/2026-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/
“The first time you quit, it’s hard. The 2nd time, it gets easier. The 3rd time, you don’t even have to think about it.” - “Bear” Bryant
OswegoBruin
Joined: 11/11/10 Posts: 16,935
You've got to be kidding.
Posted Fri, Feb 07 1:52 pm
In response to Guys, it’s early but UCLA has a Top 25 ‘26 class (Rabid Bruin)
It's almost a year away from early signing day 2026, and we actually have to prove something on the field before we will receive commitments from, I would wager, most recruits, which is far from guaranteed this year.

The cart isn't before the horse, it's half a mile down the road.
yogibear
Joined: 1/25/13 Posts: 1,721
I have to agree...
Posted Fri, Feb 07 2:30 pm
In response to You've got to be kidding. (OswegoBruin)
It's like some posters here who claim this past recruiting class being underwhelming/fail before they even step on the field.
Rabid Bruin
Joined: 9/26/23 Posts: 2,043
Hence, “It’s early”
Posted Fri, Feb 07 2:41 pm (Edited Fri, Feb 07 2:47 pm)
In response to You've got to be kidding. (OswegoBruin)
I admit, I had grown used to being ranked 120th at this stage with the previous HC.

On behalf of all Bruins’ fans I say - Let’s keep it going.
yogibear
Joined: 1/25/13 Posts: 1,721
Before,
Posted Fri, Feb 07 3:28 pm
In response to Hence, “It’s early” (Rabid Bruin)
you couldn't even hear crickets chirping around Ucla recruiting. Now, at least Bees are buzzing all around Ucla recruiting.
Rabid Bruin
Joined: 9/26/23 Posts: 2,043
True
Posted Fri, Feb 07 3:51 pm
In response to Before, (yogibear)
It’s a noticeable change with how the football program is operating and this board reflects it in a way. This board might have had 1 post every 2 weeks in past years IIRC.
WIU bruinfan
Joined: 8/31/08 Posts: 462
Speaking of before, how about 2014 - 2015
Posted Mon, Feb 10 8:36 am
In response to Before, (yogibear)
UCLA had the 12th ranked class in 2015 and the 18th ranked class in 2014. That's after getting the 7th ranked class in 2013.

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2015-football/commits/

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2014-football/commits/

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2013-football/commits/

That's a 3-year average of about the 12th best class in the country. You'd think with that much recruiting success, the years 2016 & 2017 UCLA would be among the best in the nation. Yet, in 2016 UCLA went 4-8, and then 6-7 in 2017. Look, I'm not trying to say recruiting isn't important. But it's also not what ultimately determines success. You need great coaches to get the best out of players.

If we look back even further, 2012 we had the 18th best class.

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2012-football/commits/

So that makes 2016-2017 look even worse. 4 years straight of finishing in the top 25 in recruiting just to put up back to back losing seasons with all that talent. Then again, 2012 featured Ellis McCarthy who never made any significant impact, as well as Justin Combs. He was P. Diddy's son. Unfortunately a lot of times players look great in high school where they're not playing division one players on the other side routinely. Then they get to the next level and suddenly they're just another fish in the pond. Work ethic often gets overlooked in the recruiting cycles in favor of measurables and stats. But it shows up when you're not immediately handed a starting spot and have to put in the time to perfect your craft. I hope all UCLA's recruits pan out but I'm old enough to remember the Morrell Presley's and Mique Juarez's of the world.
Student Baller
Joined: 7/14/14 Posts: 6,489
I hear Justin Combs is still
Posted Mon, Feb 10 10:05 am
In response to Speaking of before, how about 2014 - 2015 (WIU bruinfan)
Diddy’s son! But even then, he was a 2-3* player so while you can name him, he’s not really supportive of the point you’re trying to make.
WIU bruinfan
Joined: 8/31/08 Posts: 462
Point is recruiting is a guessing game
Posted Tue, Feb 11 8:38 am
In response to I hear Justin Combs is still (Student Baller)
In 2015 Cordell Broadus from powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Vegas and son of Snoop Dogg was a 3 star recruit. Not sure he ever saw game action for UCLA.

https://247sports.com/Player/cordell-broadus-22097/

Meanwhile Andre James was also a 3 star in that class. He started the last 32 games of his Bruin career before going pro and just last spring signed a 3-year $24 million dollar extension. Same class, same star rating, wildly different results.

And as for a collective point, again UCLA had top 25 classes four straight years with an average ranking of 13.75 of starting in 2012. That led to a 4-8 season in 2016 and a 6-7 record in 2017.

Meanwhile, UCLA had the 44th ranked class in 2019, 31st in 2020, 25th in 2021, and 29th in 2022. That's an average rating of 32.25. Frankly with all the complaints about Chip's recruiting I'm surprised it wasn't lower.

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2019-football/commits/
https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2020-football/commits/
https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2021-football/commits/
https://247sports.com/college/ucla/season/2022-football/commits/

That led to a 9-4 season in 2022 and a 8-5 record in 2023. You'd think based on recruiting, the records would be better in 2016 and 2017 than 2022 and 2023. But there were different coaches and the results speak for themselves. I'm excited to see what CDF can do but there are plenty of examples of guys being under and overrated each year in recruiting. Soso Jamabo was a 4 star recruit whose best year was less than 450 yards rushing. Meanwhile Joshua Kelley was a 2 star who put up back to back 1,000+ yard seasons w/ 12 touchdowns each time.
Student Baller
Joined: 7/14/14 Posts: 6,489
Snoops kid quit football shortly
Posted Tue, Feb 11 10:15 am
In response to Point is recruiting is a guessing game (WIU bruinfan)
After entering. Said he never loved the game, just played bc Snoop pushed him. Stayed at UCLA as a regular student.
Rabid Bruin
Joined: 9/26/23 Posts: 2,043
Should have pulled the scholie
Posted Tue, Feb 11 4:19 pm
In response to Snoops kid quit football shortly (Student Baller)
Maybe they did though. Not sure.
Student Baller
Joined: 7/14/14 Posts: 6,489
Of course they did
Posted Wed, Feb 12 6:21 am
In response to Should have pulled the scholie (Rabid Bruin)
You don’t keep a scholarship if you’re not on the team
Student Baller
Joined: 7/14/14 Posts: 6,489
Fark you’re sour
Posted Fri, Feb 07 5:47 pm
In response to You've got to be kidding. (OswegoBruin)
No message
MarkLA
Joined: 12/06/11 Posts: 2,850
All WRs it seems
Posted Fri, Feb 07 5:39 pm
In response to Guys, it’s early but UCLA has a Top 25 ‘26 class (Rabid Bruin)
Recruited by the previous WR coach, but I think at least some of them will enroll. Decent haul last year (mid-40s ranked), and I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be -- or better -- this year.
uclanman
Joined: 9/23/12 Posts: 1,849
Zero recruits in espn top 300 coming in 2025
Posted Sat, Feb 22 11:20 pm
In response to All WRs it seems (MarkLA)
You'd almost need a sign posted reading: No High School recruits allowed. Should land at least ONE if only by accident.

Student Baller
Joined: 7/14/14 Posts: 6,489
Wah, I’m a downer
Posted Sun, Feb 23 6:54 am
In response to Zero recruits in espn top 300 coming in 2025 (uclanman)
I’m going to talk about something other than the topic to let everyone know we suvk. WAH.