Recruiting focus

eh, who cares about the location, it's the talent that's more important. There's nothing wrong with staying in Cali, the two best athletic markets are California and Texas. But then again, it's no reason to pass up on talents in other states.

I love them to search and make some offers on a national level. The question is the energy and amount of effort expended. Our odds of reeling in elite prospects from around the country are far less than our odds of landing recruits closer to home. The key to Ucla's athletic success has always been California athletes. Some from farther away, true, but a major focus on California where our chances of success are higher. I'm glad they are making the effort to reach out, but IMO that has to be icing on the cake and never viewed as part of the focus of our efforts

I don't know that I agree with how the question was phrased, which appears to suggest that UCLA is ignoring or failing to devote the proper attention to local recruits while pursuing national recruits instead. I think a more accurate way to phrase it would reflect that UCLA is aiming higher than in years past and not solely focusing on local kids. To suggest that UCLA is not actively pursuing local kids is clearly inaccurate, as you yourself mentioned Coach Chow recently visiting a couple of local QBs, and as shown by the number of local kids who've been offered or are being considered for offers. I doubt this staff will ignore the depth of talent that usually can be found locally; at the same time, they have shown more ambition than has been apparent in the past with respect to out-of-state recruits.

Yes, California and Texas are hotbeds for football talent. But don't forget Florida.

My question for Brian Dohn is: If Neuheisel is putting more time and money into recruiting nationally than in California, does that mean (1) he thinks the talent in California is not as good as elsewhere, or (2) he does not think he can compete with USC, Cal, Washington, Colorado, etc., for the California elite athletes?

you're right, floria is good too, but from what i hear, the top two are typically Texas and California.

Also, while I'm at it, I don't have an opinion on (1), but as for your (2), i do believe USC recruits as much nationally as locally, so why isn't the question "does Carrol not think he can compete with UCLA for CA's elite athletes?"

I think it's more to do with the best talent, regardless of which states you're in. It helps that Neuheisel came from coaching in Colorado and Washington, where he was forced to branch out and make contacts in other states, rather than staying and recruiting whatever he could find there. Coaches might be able to get away with staying in their states if it was TX, CA, and FL, but not so much in CO or WA.