A InsideUCLA reader sent this to my email, and it’s just awesome. I love this dedication, guys. I can’t imagine writing this blog and for the paper without this kind of fan base. Thanks.

I was bored at work today and decided to put together the attached chart showing our roster by position by class year. Just sent it to my UCLA buddies but wanted to get your thoughts (if you have time).

What I found interesting is while we do graduate a lot of people this year including 5 starters on D (Carter, Bosworth x2, Jersy, ATV), 3 on O (Austin, Moya, Moline) and will probably lose Price, our Junior class is not as important…Forbath, Ramirez, Eddie Williams, Stokes and David Carter. So next year we might have trouble replacing Defense, especially LBs, but in 2011, we are still going to have most of our guys from this year (I put who I think will start next year in bold and most will be Soph and Juniors). In 2011, we could be dangerous.

I was also looking at the areas we need to recruit strongest in (commits and recruits on the right). QB, RB and TE should be pretty deep but wouldn’t mind throwing a stud like Jones or Barr into the mix. WR is deep too but could use a top tier guy…maybe Class of ’11 since we’re not recruiting that position very well this year. OL could be pretty deep too if we get a couple guys from the Ward-Ajawara-Yandall crew and the Mormons don’t go on their missions.

We actually have a ton of DLs with 2 transfers and 3 frosh recruits in addition to all of the guys we brought in the last 2 years. DBs are pretty deep too with only ATV leaving in the next 2 years and 3 guys already committed. LB is really where we will need help unless Golper, Bowens or Maka could step in. Could really use a couple top recruits there.

Realistically, if we get some LBs, a couple more OLs, 1-2 top-tier offensive playmakers and a stud DT (all of which are totally feasible), we could be legitimately challenging for the Pac-10 from 2011-2013. You’d also have to buy in to Prince or Brehaut being capable of taking us to the promised land (vs. a Top 5 QB) and Norm Chow sticks around long enough in Neuheisel land. Also, SC is still going to recruit very strong, as are Cal and Oregon, and Stanford and Washington are building back up, so I’m not saying we should be handed the title, but I think we’ll be very competitive.

Would be very interested to hear your thoughts.