Weekly Answers, Pt. 1
Check out the first batch of weekly answers...
1) FOOTBALL: Can you please let us know about the status of Darius Bell, quarterback from SFCC. There are persistent rumors on the Internet about him that (1) he's coming to UCLA and (2) he's so great that he's going to start ahead of Prince and relegate Brehaut to a red shirt year. For the record, I don't believe any of it. - UCLA '64
From what I've heard, Bell is still clearing some academic hurdles, but is still a good shot. Bell is a very, very good quarterback, and I think he could certainly thrive in the Revolver, but all the hype is a bit premature, I'd think.
2) How many WR's are we looking at taking this recruiting season? any names you see us in the running for? - MaltBaa
I would say given the tight scholarship situation and a relative surplus at least for the next two seasons, two would be the max. As it stands, of UCLA's offers out there, only two have verbally committed elsewhere: Up to date list
3) When are the incoming freshmen allowed to come in and start using the facilties? - Maltbaa
I think in mid-June.
4) Should we be concerned that neuheisal seems to take a non-proactive approach when it comes to recruiting? We pulled in a couple of good players last year but that was probably due to a coaching change at usc (like with Riley). Can our football team survive with that approach, especially with the commitments usc has already for 2011? appreciate it. - Anonymous
You guys are such incredible fatalists. How in the world does Neuheisel have a NON-PROACTIVE approach?!? Three straight top-10 recruiting classes. Geez, man, get off the ledge. Neuheisel has a certain number of scholarships - if anything, he's probably telling guys NOT to commit this early.
5) Do we have any silent verbals? - Maltbaa
Yes.
I'm amazed at how many guys here are panicking so early with regard to 2011 recruits....CRN and his entire staff have done really well recruiting-wise in the past. If I do have a concern, it's that we desperately need OL...I'm a big proponent of building a great team from within (OL and DL, the "Big Uglies"). That's my only concern right now. I think Bell would be a great addition from what I hear. We could use another QB that would fit perfectly in the revolver.
Program-wise, we're on schedule. With this upcoming, tough non-conference schedule and equally tough conference away schedule, it'll be a major test for our football team. This will be an interesting season to see how are boys will respond to this challenge.
See now, Jon! Now that you've either truthfully or sarcastically answered Maltbaa's "silent verbals" question, you know we're all gonna wonder who, or at least at which positions those verbals play. So let me ask for him- Where do they play? But, you won't answer perhaps due to your professional arrangements. Which then leads to another question- If those are truly "silent" verbals, how is it that you get to come into the know? Maltbaa- I would have to think Jon is toying with you...
rc3ucla- after dealing with dohn for so many years and seeing how many times people got shot down for asking who the silent verbals were I just decided not even try. Just knowing that we have silents (sefarian jenkins from the rumor mill) reassures me that everything is going well. And at the same time Jon has a job to do and keeping things secret until they are meant to come out is part of his job. It wouldnt be good for ucla if he gave us the names when they were meant to be silent anyways. in the world of rectuiting patience is necesary.
Holy crap, I agree with VB.
Anon:
WOW!!!! It's amazing how many morons who know NOTHING about sports or UCLA come on here and comment Annonymously. I think they're afraid of having their moronity exposed.
Non-Proactive approach? WTF, are you talking about? Neu is a tireles and fearless recruiter who will fight to the DEATH to get kids to commit to UCLA. He NEVER gives up. He has proven to be on of the BEST recruiters in the game. We have a limited number of scholies to give out and Neu just wants to make sure he invests the proper amount of time to evaluate the talent accurately. Unlike Duhrrell, Neu is not afraid to mix it up until the end and fight for recruits.
BTW, the coaching change at SUC had absolutely NO material affect on their recruiting class. SUC got almost EVERY recruit they wanted and then some. They closed strong with Henderson, Marquis Jackson, Di Paolo, Ambles, Stanley, Pullard, and Robley. They missed on a few, but who didn't?
I have to completely agree with VB on this one.
AGAIN, recruiting battles are NOT won on the internet in the Spring. They are won in living rooms in the Winter. And there is not a finer man at working the living rooms and dinner tables of America than CRN!!!!