Weekly Q&A

Do you expect football recruiting to be the same next year with little emphasis on early signings, or do you expect more commitments earlier?

What position(s) will be strengths in California for next year's recruiting cycle? Any known UCLA leans?

Latest on Julious Moore and odds of him coming to UCLA?

thanks,

David

IF USC gets hit with sanctions and loses some scholarships and 1 year of postseason play, how would this affect USC's current recruiting class and future classes?

how did r carroll and other track & field/football players do this weekend in az? and will r carroll burn it up on the football field with lots of blazing catched for tds next yr? AND will jerry rice jr speak at his dad's hall of fame ceremony?

Are you as impressed as I am with how articulate some of these 17-18 year olds are? I'm super impressed with Owa. I look forward to watching him over the next 3-4 years.

It seems that there has been a lot of criticism regarding Coach Howland's constant giving minutes to Nikola Dragovic, despite his lack of effort on defense and his continual missed shots. Do you think this criticism is valid, and if it is, is Howland unaware of, or just ignoring this criticism?

Was Coach Chow in the offices on signing day? I didn't notice him in the video's?

Why won't the "Chow to USC" talk die?

It seems that there has been a lot of criticism regarding Coach Howland's constant giving minutes to Nikola Dragovic, despite his lack of effort on defense and his continual missed shots. Do you think this criticism is valid, and if it is, is Howland unaware of, or just ignoring this criticism?

Much credit is given to Neuheisal as a recruiting, and specifically his ability to "close." However, the key last minute, big-name pickups are defensive guys. So, what was Bullough's role and how is he as a recruiter?

What is the top recruitment priority for next year's class?

How will the BB version of Josh Smith make the greatest impact? Scoring, general defense, rebounding, shot blocking, other

This year hasn't gone as Bobo planned, yet every time I see him he's smiling and seems to be enjoying being part of the team. So, what is his mindset like and is he really keeping his spirits as high as they seem?

is the staff that bummed that they didnt get heimuli? have you heard any chance of ucla getting him after his mission?

Mr. Gold, thank you for providing ongoing updates this past Wednesday.
I have a two-part question, first any truth to the rumor that Shirley and Pullard don't like each and never wanted to play together? I think Pullard's commitment to USC instead of UCLA almost validates this rumor unless I am completely wrong. Second, how does Pullard's commitment to USC impact the recruitment of future Crenshaw players considering that USC rarely had success against UCLA with Crenshaw players? Thank you in advance.

did we get enough impact offensive lineman? how far down was yandall on our priority list?

if basketball doesnt work out for jerime anderson, does he have a future competing in ludacris look a like competitions?

Jon I have a favor to ask. Can you ask Howland why he continuously plays Dragovic when it is obvious th Serbian does NOT want nor care enough to play 40 minutes of D? Also given that he knows Drago doesn't play D, why isn't he giving more minutes to Moser and Lane? I understand they domt have a lot of experience but that is Howlands fault for not giving them any meaningful min. And what about Abdul-Hamid it's obvious the guy plays with passion and fights for the ball. But these kids are young and should be gaining experience for next year. Dragovic is a lost cause because even if he shows up for a game we lose the next one simply because we cannot hold on to a lead?

Is EJ Woods back with the football team?

with 3 straight top-25 recruiting classes, shouldn't ucla be a top-25 team next year?

did taula qualify academically for ucla? whats the plan for julious moore? wasnt he asked to grey shirt anyways?

sc didnt have any interest in dak smith after kiffin took over..is neu considering him an option?

How is our progress coming along in Benball recruiting? and thanks so much for the up-to-date coverage of all things ucla. I live in the Marshall Islands right now and use your blog as my main source of information for my beloved bruins.

How hot is Rick's seat next season?

Will panic set in if the Trojans sweep us next Sunday?

Any take on why Seantrel Henderson chose to make a big-splash NYC-televised verbal commitment to U$C near the end of NSD, then within hours we find out it's just a verbal while he and his family/handlers wait to see if there are NCAA sanctions against U$C?

What's the latest on Stan Hasiak? Are the coaches planning on letting him back on the team? If so, can he get a redshirt for last season?

What kind of sanctions do you expect USC to receive from the NCAA? Why hasn't the university imposed any sanctions on themselves? What impact will this have on the Bruin program?

Jon,

1) The current roster on the UCLA football website plus add the 2010 LOIs equal 113 players.

That's about 4 full teams plus Special Teams

What exactly do the 1-star/NR players (other than Embree) contribute to the team. Are they all "Rudy's" who get their clocks cleaned at practice?

2) How many scholarships can a school give?

3) Are Grants-in-Aid seen as scholarships, or are they added-on to that number?

By the way, great Podcast with Ben O. He's a smart and articulate young man. Too bad injuries sidelined his career. He obviously had the mental capacity to play.

Ben Olson became a father a couple years ago, right? Does he have a son? If so, can we safely lock him up as a UCLA commit in class of 2026? I just hope he inherits Ben's arm, not his legs. Go Lancers and Bruins!!

What is Ben Olson's day job?

I'll make the case UCLA's class is stronger than SC's because 1)Henderson is not yet part of it 2)USC had so many WRs and TEs, but big holes elsewhere, whereas UCLA's class is balanced and is only really missing a QB. Thoughts on my thought?

Any chance in the world that Henderson ends up at UCLA?

Sua Filo is gone for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. If he comes back and plays lights out in 2012, could he be eligible for the 2013 NFL draft (meaning he'd only have played 2 college seasons)?

How soon after the NCAA hearing (in a week or so)regarding USC will the public know about sanctions being given? Will sanctions concerning football and basketball be announced at the same time?

Did you and Ben Olsen play football together?

How many former former Bruin basketball and football players attend games regularly? With so many living in SoCal, you would think it would be a lot, but the only one I spot attending regularly is Mike Warren, at least at Pauley. Unless I'm missing something, it's disappointing that more aren't in attendance, unless they're being honored for something, as with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Jamaal Wilkes.

On the "Survivor" heroes vs villains promos, the word "heroes" appears in a hue you might describe as True Blue, while the word "villains" appears in a shade of red--a crimson, to be more precise. Coincidence, or has CBS figured out what the rest of us already know??

I've been quite disappointed in the character of some recent high-profile recruits, specially EJ Woods, Stan Hasian, Morrel Pressley, and Randall Carroll. Therefore, how would you describe the character of the 4 and 5 star recruits in the 2010 class?

If FBS schools allow 85 schollies on the roster with 25 per year, does that really mean if a school only uses 15 one year, they lose those 10 and cannot use 35 the next?

How about a feature eatery or food review every week? We like to eat!

signed,

lardbutt

After this season, have you heard who Milosh - errr...Nikola - only wants to play for?

On a fairytale message board for trolls, what do they call posters who deliberately try to irritate others?

Thanks for the great coverage during National Signing Day. Looking back, do you know if the coaches went after Chris Martin after he decommitted from Notre Dame?

What are the Seniors from our football team doing now? I know ATV is in Arizona training for the NFL, but how about the rest of them? Carter, Paulsen, Moya, Austin, the Bosworth's? What is the process like after they leave UCLA?

Do you think the Chargers would have won the Super Bowl if they had kept Drew Brees?

Rumor has it Henderson did not sign his LOI. Any truth to this and is there a chance that we can steal him? Are we still recruiting now, and if so, who and what positons?

Since they lost out Nottingham is seems like an elite QB or 2 is a priority. Is there any QB's that UCLA is looking at for 2011? It this a strong year of QBs?

How many games do you think UCLA football needs to win next season for it to be considered successful?

Good news of sorts so long after the fact most people have forgotten.... FSU didn't beat UCLA in the 2006 Nut Bowl after all.

Turns out after dragging things out with legal arguments that would impress even SoCal, Florida State will vacate athletic victories as part of its penalty for an academic fraud scandal in 2006-07; one game the football team vacated is to be the December 27, 2006 Emerald Bowl versus the Bruins

During his signing day announcement, Riley talked a lot about playing on offense, being a freshman All-America, etc. Appreciate the ambition and drive, but what's truly realistic for the 2010 season?

OK Jon what's the deal with Maka is he coming or not?

Jon,
Is it possible to edit some of the posts in order to eliminate some of the racism and profanity? The cross-town losers seem to think that they are brilliant when they post garbage that only shows their lack of class and dignity.

What is the health of QB Nick Crissman and do the coaches expect that he can be a contributor and add depth (third) string off the bench if necessary?

A mystery man on the team is walk on QB Clayton Tunney, who I heard was very effective on the scout team and has an interesting background. Star QB at La Costa Canyon, went on his mission, wound up at UC Davis and then transferred to UCLA. What do the coaches think of him?

why didn't we run any RB or WR screens last year? I understand that we couldn't do some things because we were young.....but a screen pass, come on now we should be able to execute that play right???

at CU Josh Smith returned kickoff's by himself, do you think the staff will have him back there alone or have some one like Thigpen or Carroll back with him? Is Smith slated to be the punt returner also?

what's wrong with Howland, why does he continues to play dragovic despite his horrendous defense and poor display of bball IQ on the offensive end chucking rainbows? is there a conspiracy where Howland is forced to play dragovic so many mins? I couldn't see the freshmen much worse in place of him

when did the 'pipeline' with Crenshaw start and with whom? Also do you think they (the Crenshaw kids) choose UCLA as a way out of the hood, or do they really look at UCLA as a football power?

Jon,

What is the status of Taniela Maka? Koster is listed on the roster, but not Maka. Did he, or will he, make it in?

Has UCLA offered 2011 QB prospect Stephen Rivers (Phillip's younger brother)? He is interested in UCLA?

Shirley and Pullard will always be remembered as a kind of swap, with USC grabbing one and UCLA getting the other. If you had to chose only one for your team, which one would you take?

Jon Gold, I figure that the coaching staff probably told D. Riley that early playing time would be available at UCLA, should he chose to come here, but I just cannot figure what position he can get PT at? With our secondary being fairly young and talented, where do you foresee D. Riley playing at?

hey gold.. is ray mccallum the only PG we are offering a scholarship to for next year? if not, who else are we looking at? seems to me if we don't bring in an elite PG, we'll be middle of the Pac again. (JA is not a starting pac-10 PG and Lee has to move back to SG).

You never answer my question. All I would like are some public Twitter url's for players and coaches of the basketball and football teams. Can you give us some? Thanks.

1) Do you think Howland's style of play will hurt in the recruitment of future elite players.
2) Do you think Howland will win a NCAA Championship at UCLA? and why yes or no?
3) Do you agree that Howland should play the Frosh more to help them gain game experience for next year? I think we could have a very competetive team next year if we develop the other Frosh, don't you?

If a bb player only plays a game during preseason, do the burn their redshirt?

Do you think Smith and Fauria will make a strong impact next year?

What are going to be the needs for next years recruiting class

Was Josh Shirley's commit on signing day a surpirse to CRN, or did CRN know about it far in advance?

Now that all the commits have come in, please give us your perspective on the depth chart for 2010.

Ever consider having a weekly column written by a reader? (For a contest winner, etc.)

Asked this last week and didn't see an answer posted...for seniors (football) that are no longer active members of the team after the bowl game (but still finishing up classes) and people like Brian Price who declare for the NFL but still may be taking classes at UCLA, how involved (if at all) can they be in recruiting? Hosting recruits, etc?

I don't unsderstand some of the terms used in reference to defensive tackles. What is the difference between 3-techniques, 1-technique, and nose?

Say Abele wins the LT job and performs well. If/when XSF returns, do you see him redshirting to get back into football shape while Abele mans the fort?

Where in the draft do you think Kai Forbath would have gone this year, and where do you think he will be on the list next year?

Can you call Brian Price and ask him how training for the draft is going and get an idea of what his goals are for the combine - what he expects to participate in and his performance goals. Thanks.

First, great coverage of signing day. Second (two part question)- 1. Do you ever look at Scott Wolf's USC Blog and rejoice that you aren't covering the trojans? 2. If you did cover the trojans, do you think the hiring of Lane Kiffin would give you irritable bowel syndrome? Thanks.

Do you ever read questions by posters such as issizit and ask yourself...how dumb is this guy? where I come from they call that guy a putz.

can you keep ucla fans from worrying about anything USC and focus on the bruins? until RN has a great season coaching, why is anything else being talked about regarding the bruin football program?

UCLA hardly had any players invited to the NFL combine. Why is that and how does one get invited? Can their college head coach make a call?

Did Norm Chow get a contract extension?

Before his final season at USC, Pete Carroll lost 11 starters to the NFL Draft and his offensive coordinator. He then loses his only reliable running back to a near-tragic weight room accident.

With all that being considered, would you call the nine win season possibly his best?

What's the latest on Terrence Jones, Ray McCallum, and Trey Zeigler? I was impressed with Jones (aka baby Lamar) in the game against Smith.

what do you think of the Tim Tebow SuperBowl commercial drama?

Who do you predict the starting USC linebackers will be this coming season?

When you look a guy with a concussion in the eyes, usually you can tell he's not right.

Should Howland have noticed Nelson's symptoms?

Will Hayes Pullard give USC an edge in recruiting DeAnthony Thomaas?

I can't believe that all of the UCLA BB players can't face guard one on one, I mean none of them can play defense. What happened?

What type of relationship does Rick Neuheisel have with Eric Scott?

How do you evaluate recruits? based on write ups, and rankings? I really do not know how fans know how good a D-Line, O-Line, Linebackers really perform without specific game tape on that player. So since most people don't have that type of research or time, how accurate are most peoples comments about these recruits?

I know you have only been at this blog for about a year, but it seems to be about 60-65% about football. Why do you think more inquires about football? I thought basketball was king at UCLA? Cause most football fans are younger, and most ucla basketball fans are in their 60's (at least most season ticket holders)?

All things equal, what is more bang for your buck for season tickets, UCLA football, or basketball? Based on excitement, talent, environment, fan friendly, accessibility, etc...

Is UCLA serious about Aaron Cantu, QB, Schurr High in Montebello, Ca for 2011? 2009 stats as Jr.

Comp Att Yds Y/G Comp % TD Int 169 265 2500 208.3 .638 28 8

Jon-

Any info (or personal thoughts) on Pac-10 conference expansion? Which teams are likely and when could this happen?

Any chance that Sean Farham can get a chance to do football games or basketball games and replace Chris Roberts? I know Sean isn't a football guy but does well on the H.S shows and he is a natural on television..speaks well, confident, well liked...So do hear anything of him getting a chance?...I think Sean and Don McLean would be great as well as Sean calling the football games.

Seantrel Henderson and his father already look to be a handful, should USC just walk away from him?

What are your thoughts on rumors, once again, surfacing regarding expansion of the Pac-10 into a 12-team conference?

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=Atf5tXRYKI1mUu..woXsv2E5nYcB?slug=ap-pac-10expansion&prov=ap&type=lgns

When is the next signing day for basketball recruits?

Can you tell us what some of the recent football graduates are up to? How about Pat Cowan, Chris Markey, Drew Olson, Justin Kickman, Brigham Harwell, Michael Pitre, and Justin London?

Hey Jon,

What did you think abot the Friday Night Lights finale!? and i think you should do the food thing

out of terrance jones, mccallum, zeigler, and now possibly terrance ross, who do you see us landing or at least making a HUGE run at?btw, love the blog

A Los Angeles journalist from a different newspaper tweeted that Stan Hasiak is going to transfer. I won't believe it until I hear it from you. Is Stan going to transfer or is there still a chance that he stays at UCLA?