Answers, Part XXII

With coaches leaving programs like Washington and Tennessee, is it Rick's strategy to target some of the kids being recruited by the old coaches at those schools?
No, absolutely not. Neuheisel is going to target kids he likes, and that has no bearing on whether they are committed to other schools or not, and whether a coach leaves or not. And it's not like Washington was out there bringing in great players, or UCLA has a strong base in the southeast to lure kids from Tennessee.

Do you think Morrell's commitment will have a serious snow ball effect on recruiting? Or, is this just the product of good recruiting that may not pay dividends this year, but maybe next year and thereafter?
I don't think it will have a huge impact on the rest of the this class. It's not saying one kid leaving UCLA's class will have a huge impact in that manner. It is one kid. Most kids make a decision and stick to it. Winning and developing relationships is how someone recruits well.

For a top basketball recruit, what the good points and bad points of playing at UCLA?
Good points are play for a winning program, get very good coaching (especially on defense), get tons of exposure and compete hard in practice. Bad points are running a slow-down offense, playing in an antiquated building and in front of a lethargic crowd on most nights.

If Maurice Drew stayed his senior year do you think he would have had a shot at the Heisman?
Nope. One of his biggest assets was as a returner, and no one was going to kick to him during his senior season. Also, too many other players on offense were leaving, which would have limited his effectiveness.

Which USC basketball player from the past 5 years would have been a really good fit with Howland and UCLA?
I think Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt would have been very good, and from what I've seen, Taj Gibson would have been interesting.

Does the football staff feel real confident that the JC commits will be at UCLA come the fall? Or is it a fall back plan in case they can't get commitments from "better" higher quality High School kids? How hard will Rick try to get the JC kids into school?
I'm not getting into whether the coaching staff is confident about the kids. The staff took the commitments, and that says plenty. As for getting the JC kids in, it is not up to Neuheisel. It is up the kids. Eddie Williams and Shawn Johnson have a lot of work to do in the classroom in the next six or seven months, but if they do the work they will be at UCLA.

Refresh my memory...did the NCAA recently change the rules on technical fouls so that the ball is awarded back to the team that had possession and not automatically given to the other team?
I believe it depends on the type of technical foul that is given.

Have you heard anything about D-1 FB transfers coming to UCLA? Donahue got a few every so often. Is Rick trying to develop that kind of profile as well? One transfer comes to mind that worked out real well. Aikman. Heard of him?
Nothing serious at this time. They do have Colorado transfer Kai Maiava, the offensive lineman, who will be eligible next season. Neuheisel's focus is recruiting high school players. That is how you build a program, not through transfers.