UCLA ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Twenty-one outstanding high school seniors have signed letters-of-intent to play football at UCLA, Bruin head coach Rick Neuheisel announced today. The class also includes one junior college transfer who has signed a written offer of financial aid.

“This is an outstanding class, one that will help us elevate our program,” said Neuheisel. “This class is particularly gifted at the skill positions, such as running back, wide receiver, defensive back and quarterback. I am really excited that these young men, who are quality individuals on and off the field, have decided to become Bruins. I think the future, both theirs and ours, is very bright.

“I would be remiss if I did not credit Karl Dorrell and his staff for assembling this class. Most of these young men committed to this institution when he was the head coach and our staff, especially DeWayne Walker, was able to convince them that UCLA was still the right choice. Together, we are going to build something special.”

Thirteen of the new Bruins earned All-America honors from one publication or another. Running back Aundre Dean and kicker Jeff Locke were named to the Parade All-America team. Locke and defensive back Rahim Moore were named to the Scout.com All-America squad while Locke (first team), Dean (third team) and Moore (third team) made the EA Sports All-America squad.

Eight were selected to the PrepStar Dream Team (running back Derrick Coleman, quarterback Nick Crissman, Dean, defensive back Anthony Dye, defensive back Aaron Hester, defensive end Datone Jones, Moore and defensive back E.J. Woods) and five more signees were named to the PrepStar All-America squad (offensive lineman Jeff Baca, defensive end Damien Holmes, Locke, wide receiver Antwon Moutra and wide receiver Nelson Rosario). In addition, eight were All-Regional selections (offensive lineman Connor Bradford, linebacker Donovan Carter, athlete Johnathan Franklin, tight end Cory Harkey, wide receiver Jerry Johnson, linebacker Patrick Larimore, quarterback Kevin Prince and linebacker Sean Westgate).

Ten of the signees were named to the SuperPrep All-America team (Crissman, Dean, Dye, Hester, Holmes, Jones, Locke, Moore, Rosario and Woods) and 10 more were All-Region selections (Baca, Bradford, Carter, Coleman, Franklin, Harkey, Johnson, Larimore, Moutra and Westgate).

Eleven new Bruins earned four stars from Rivals.com and 10 earned three stars. Two were ranked among the nation’s Top 100 by Rivals and eight more were in the Top 250. In Scout.com’s prep ratings, the class includes one five star (two including junior college quarterback Kevin Craft), 10 four stars and 10 three stars. Eleven of the signees were ranked among the top 20 players nationally at their respective positions.

Fifteen of the signees were named to the Tacoma News Tribune’s Western 100. Fourteen Bruins were named All-State by Cal Hi Sports team, including four first team selections (Hester, Moore, Moutra and Woods).