Ready for Action

These six are most prepared to step on the field for UCLA today. A short bio, and their rivals rankings. Also, click on their names for the recruiting profiles.

Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Defensive End / David Douglass (Or.)
6-4 / 240
2 / 8
Why he’ll help: The nation’s No. 8 prospect will almost certainly compete for a starting gig right away.
Neuheisel says: “You watch the (Army All-American game) highlights, he was running over offensive tackles as if they weren’t there. It’s exciting for us to think about what can be with him.”

Malcolm JonesRunning Back / Oaks Christian
6-0 / 215
9 / 87
Why he’ll help: One of the premier recruits in the country, Jones is big and fast enough to contribute immediately.
Neuheisel says: “A packrat. You give him the ball, and he keeps coming after you. That’s what he does.”

Cassius MarshDefensive Tackle / Oaks Christian
6-4 / 270
4 / 33
Why he’ll help: UCLA needs to find a replacement for Brian Price, and there aren’t many options. The Bruins go out and get a local talent, and a big one at that.
Neuheisel says: “Defensive line as a priority, for Cassius to reconsider and come back to home, especially when so many programs were after, says a lot of his belief of where he thinks we’re headed.”

Jordon JamesRunning Back / Corona Centennial
5-10 / 190
8 / 109
Why he’ll help: There’s talk that Norm Chow envisions using James and Jones as a Reggie Bush-LenDale White combo for the Bruins. That duo worked pretty well, no?
Neuheisel says: “A bullet. One of those guys who can get the ball out of the backfield – handing it to him or throwing it to him – and make big plays.”

Jordan ZumwaltLinebacker / Huntington Beach Edison
6-4 / 217
4 / 205
Why he’ll help: Reggie Carter’s leadership and experience can’t be replaced, but snagging an 11th-hour commitment from Stanford is big for Chuck Bullough. Zumwalt has an offseason to pack on some beef, but could challenge for time now.
Neuheisel says: “We call it the Zumwalt Zoo – his house is the cornerstone of all the activity in Huntington Beach. Game weekends, with the Edison program, it wasn’t uncommon for 20 kids to spend the night at his house. He’s kind of that kind of ringleader.”

Dietrich RileySafety / St. Francis
6-1 / 200
9 / 110
Why he’ll help: While UCLA returns its two starting safeties, Riley just has to find a way on the field. A playmaker all over the place.
Neuheisel says: “Great kid to be around and very, very talented. I went to a number of football camps last year, and every time you’d watch a drill, Dietrich was cutting the line. He was always trying to get into the front of the line to get more reps and get more chances to play.”