Riley to UCLA? C’mon Bonds, you can do it

Miguel Melendez tracked down one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits, St. Francis’ Dietrich Riley, who says the Bruins have a slight edge. C’mon coach, your Jimmy Bonds, from one Bruin to a future Bruin, hammer it home.

Melendez wrote: I had a chat with St. Francis’ Dietrich Riley earlier today and he said UCLA was at the top of his list, but emphasized it’s not necessarily where he’ll sign to play football next season. The announcement will come next week on ESPN. (To continue, click thread)


National signing day is Wednesday, and Riley was invited to announce his decision in front of a national audience. The reigning Star-News Player of the Year is one of the most sought-after players in the nation, with UCLA, USC, Notre Dame and LSU to be the final four contenders hoping to land the prized recruit; Mississippi and Washington came too late in the process, Riley’s mother, Marika McWhorter, said. Riley will take his last trip when he officially visits USC on Friday.

The biggest surprise came when UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow and four other UCLA assistants sat down with Riley during a 45-minute on Wednesday to discuss using Riley on offense as well as on defense. Think Wildcat formation.

That’s what UCLA plans on doing should Riley end up there. Notre Dame and LSU are said to have proposed the same, though there was some friction between LSU’s offensive and defensive coordinator when the pitch was made.

UCLA, however, went well into detail about using Riley’s prowess on offense.

“They said they want me to play the Wildcat and they were going to put in a special package for me,” Riley said. “I’d be playing quarterback, running back and receiver. They want me to line up a couple routes. It won’t be a lot of offense. Fifteen plays, maybe a little more to try to create some mismatches.” Full story in Friday’s paper.

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