Answers, Part VII

Do you expect us to start picking up the pace in terms of offering scholarships to football recruits?
I don’t know the answer to that question. From what I hear, Neuheisel is still does things at a different pace. During his previous head coaching days, schools waited to make many of their offers until the fall, but that has changed since he left Washington.

is it likely Forcier or Rasshan will transfer out of the program because neither is one of the top three?
I don’t see that happening. Rasshan and his family want the UCLA education, and Forcier is a red-shirt freshman who could get a chance in another year.

I read on Scout about some of the 5* recruits and wondered if you could shed light on just how interested guys like Kennard, Cierre Wood, Davenport, and Teo are in UCLA?
They are interested, but the way UCLA is recruiting, it’s hard to tell how that interest level will play out.

What are the minimum requirements for a football player to be considered for a scholarship in terms of GPA/SAT? Also, do the coaches typically offer scholarships to borderline kids before seeing their transcripts?
Too vague a question because there is a sliding scale used. A player with a 3.0 GPA doesn’t need to have as high a test score as a player with a 2.7 GPA. And traditionally at UCLA, scholarships are not offered in writing until scholarships are reviewed.

Based upon the depth at center and the departure of Mata-Real and possible departures of Love and Aboya, have you heard whether we will recruit any other bigs for the 2008 class? I know you mentioned interest in Morgan, but is there any interest in guys like Frank Ben-Eze, the one-time Harvard commit?
Yes, UCLA is interested in pretty much any big man that is unsigned at this point. And when I say interest, it means they are re-visiting and scouting that player again.

Based upon what you have seen from spring practice so far, can you provide any differences between the new coaches and the coaches that they replaced? It seems that there have been articles about the difference between the head coaches, but I was wondering in particular with respect to the styles and teaching methods of the offensive position coaches, who have all been replaced.
I’ve only been at one practice because of hoops, so it is unfair for me to give my opinion, at this time. That said, ask the question in two weeks and I will have an answer for you.

have you noticed any differences in the players based upon last year (i.e., weight/strength gain, taller, etc.) or do you think the difference will be seen between now and training camp (since the new coaches have only been there for so long)?
I haven’t noticed that much of a change, but that usually takes place between spring practice and training camp anyway.

Which offensive linemen have been participating with the first team this week? Who seems to be standing out the most on the offensive line? Have any offensive linemen who do not have significant playing experience emmerged as likely contributers this year?
The first team, which I blogged earlier today, is Sean Sheller, Scott Glicksberg, Micah Reed, Darius Savage and Micah Kia. Keep in mind Sheller and Glicksberg are in because Aleksey Lanis and Nick Ekbatani are hurt. I don’t know who is standing out yet, and when I asked I wasn’t given any names.
As far as those without much experience looking like contributors, just pick every offensive lineman except Lanis, Reed and Kia. Anyone else who plays has very little or no experience, which is why the offensive line is the biggest question mark on this team.