The Early Words: UCLA signing day story
For as much optimism as Rick Neuheisel had going into Signing Day, even he was a bit surprised by UCLA's windfall.
Given the up-in-the-air status of several key recruits.
Given the recent comments by some key targets who seemed to be leaning toward the Bruins then away then right back.
Given the increasing strength of cross-town rival USC's class, which seemed to go stronger by the hour.
No, Wednesday was going to be a day of unrest for the UCLA coaching staff.
After everything was finished, 22 names planted on 22 dotted lines, the Bruin coaching staff could finally breathe. And nap.
"Well, we're not that far from the season, and we don't sleep during the season so my body can still adjust," UCLA defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. "If I had a couple months with normal sleep then it would be a little tougher to throw one of those all-nighters in. I slept on Rick's couch. It's too short, or I'm too tall."
His legs dangling off the couch, Bullough - and the rest of the UCLA staff's - heart dangled on the decision of a handful key players. Most of the hard part was done: Oaks Christian's star duo of running back Malcolm Jones and Cassius Marsh had their letters-of-intent faxed over early. Several of the Bruins' other prized recruits - from Corona running back Jordon James to Loyola athlete Anthony Barr to Mater Dei of Santa Ana guard Chris Ward - were in the bag.
In the balance, David Douglass (Portland) defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa, St. Bonaventure of Oxnard center Giovanni Di Poalo, Crenshaw linebacker Hayes Pullard, Brighton (Utah) defensive tackle Ricky Heimuli, Huntington Beach Edison linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, Kaiser of Fontana linebacker Josh Shirley, Los Angeles Cathedral cornerback Anthony Jefferson and St. Francis of La Canada safety Dietrich Riley.
The final tally: Odighizuwa, Zumwalt, Jefferson and Riley to UCLA; Di Poalo and Pullard to USC and Heimuli to Oregon.
"If you would've told UCLA at the beginning of the day that they'd lose a couple key guys, they would've expected some of the guys they signed," said Scout.com West region recruiting manager Brandon Huffman of the Bruins, who finished the day with the recruiting site's sixth-rated class. "The final tally ended up being nine-to-nine in terms of both teams offered. It's a fascinating number - it's never been that close.
"Considering how it started with Heimuli to Oregon and Di Poalo to SC, they rallied that day."
The rally started when Zumwalt inked with the Bruins early in the morning but sagged with Heimuli's decision to spurn UCLA and play for the Pac-10 champions.
The honeymoon of Zumwalt's commitment - particularly with starting middle linebacker Reggie Carter's graduation - however, lingered until Odighizuwa, Shirley, Jefferson and Riley all announced their decisions in succession on live television.
"For a while, I started going back and forth," said Zumwalt, Scout.com's No. 9 middle linebacker. "When I would say I was going to Stanford, it just didn't click in my head. I'd say yeah, but it was like a 'Yeeeeeaaaaa.' I didn't want to say it. I just didn't feel comfortable saying it."
The surprise of the day, at least to UCLA fans: The 11th-hour signing of Shirley, who, after a long courtship by the Bruins and silent commitment, indicated that he would be signing elsewhere, most notably, USC.
Neuheisel, though, admitted that Shirley was headed to UCLA for a while, and that the deception was Shirley's idea.
"Josh and I spoke about it being a surprise," Neuheisel said. "It was his goal to make it a surprise. He played opossum with me. I called him however many times you can call him in the fall about why he should choose UCLA. His cards were very close to the vest. Then we started moving, thinking he wasn't interested, but we kept the conversation going. He said, 'What if this? What if this?'
"I'm just thrilled he's coming with us."
And he's not the only one.
Three things come to mind:
1)Rick needs to get a bigger couch
2)Wouldn't want to play poker against Shirley. He had EVERYONE fooled.
3)Guess the helicopter snafu wasn't a factor at all.
Btw Jon. You should be commended for the awesome job of covering the recruiting news today. Truly a 5* effort and 5* results.
Jon,
Great job today. To pull this off, it took precise planning and execution, and you really came through. I guess it didn't hurt that the staff came through with a great class and a few surprises... Thanks for your hard work!
Jon,
Awesome job today from the chat to the updates over 24(?) hours. Also thanks for keeping us updated throughout the recruiting season. You came to the beat late in the game, but hit the ground running and with the help of some friends you were a great source of information.
Unlike the last few years it looks like you will get a pretty decent break between the end of Basketball and the beginning of Spring Football.
Ditto, Jon.You done good, played strong.
Jon
Great job today. I had to work all day but I don't feel like I missed anything.
BTW it should be noted that Henderson has not signed a LOI to USC and will not do so until the infractions committee has had its hearing.
Thanks, Jon. Good work.
Great Bruins day!
As great a day as we had from a recruiting standpoint, the blog was its equal. Never felt out of touch with fast moving events all day. Congratulations, Jon. Nice work.
Dear Coach Neuheisel,
I think I made a mistake, spoke too soon, but at least the good lord and my mother stopped me from signing an LOI. I'm doing some rethinking, maybe a little reevaluating and if you think you could find a spot for me I'd give you a good effort.
Signed, your friend, Seantrel
Excellent coverage from Jon all day!! To All those who questioned Jons ability and/or commitment, you have to give Jon props for a job well done.
Now get to the Hoops recruiting Jon, we only have about 69 days! LOL!!!
Any chance we go after Seantrel Henderson? I bet the other suc commits wish they thought of the idea of waiting to sign.
For those of you too younfg to remember, the 1995 basketball championship was the direct result of similar NCAA violation rumours. Ed O'Bannon and Shon Traver both committed to UNLV but would not sign LOI's. When UNLV went on probation they enrolled at UCLA. The rest is history! Can lighten strike twice?