Chat with UCLA DE Commit Sam Tai Pt. 2
Check out the first part of my interview with Sam Tai, Scout.com's No. 58-rated defensive in the country, and a UCLA verbal commit.
Tai has already gotten his registration ID and plans on moving to the LA in about two weeks.
Talk about the fortitude it takes to stick with a team that finishes 4-8.
Tai: "It's hard to explain - I've been getting it recently, knowing I turned down Arkansas, and knowing they're going to the Sugar Bowl. But it's a feeling; when I spent time with Brett Hundley, me and him really connected, and talked about the program. We exchanged numbers and we've been talking ever since. We've thought about this program, and turning it around."
What is it like being in a class with Hundley?
Tai: "It's huge knowing that he's going to take control of that responsibility. He knows how important it is. He's coming in early, won't wasting time. I've watched his film; he looks excellent. If he can get in and step up, I feel he'll be a great leader."
Hundley told me you guys, and Aaron Wallace, were doing a lot of recruiting on the other guys on the official, including Tony Steward and Kevin McReynolds...
Tai: "That was the main thing when we were there. Me, Brett and Aaron were talking to the recruits. Everywhere we went, we said, this is where it's at. You see this? Florida don't get as nice as this. Over here it's nice..."
Does that come naturally to you?
Tai: "We take pride in making this team better, trying to get the recruits. We have a lot of good feedback. Tony's a really quiet guy, wasn't very open, takes a while to get to him, but he seemed like he liked it."
So two weeks left, do you look at it like you have two weeks to still be a kid, or two weeks to become a man?
Tai: "I see it as I have two weeks to get prepared to be with the team. I dont want to look like a little kid. I want to come in and compete with the big dogs. I took a week off after the season to recover, but I've been hitting it hard ever since. I need to preare, get ready for the seniors."
OK, last question, from a reader on Facebook: On a scale of 1-10, how much do you hate USC already?
Tai: "I don't know. It's not up there yet. I have a cousin who plays there. It's starting to get there now. It's probably a six or a seven now. Not there yet, but the hate is starting to creep up."
I love what Sam, Brett, and Aaron are doing for us on the recruiting front. They're top young men and will help our program immeasurably in the future. Keep up the great work, boys!!!