Chat with UCLA DE Commit Sam Tai Pt. 1
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.
About two weeks left before you get to UCLA, what are you feeling right now? Nervous? Scared? Excited?
Sam Tai: "I'm a little nervous, anxious - a lot of mixed emotions. I'm excited to start at UCLA, but I don't know how it's going to be, being on my own. It's a little bit of mixed feelings."
How was your official visit at the USC game?
Tai: "It was fun. It was amazing. My mom, dad, younger brother were able to attend and they all loved it. Loved everything from the campus tour to the ending dinner at Coach Neuheisel's house."
What was the best part for you?
Tai: "Being able to spend time with Coach Neuheisel and the staff, getting more comfortable with them. These are guys I'll be with for years. The thing that hit me the most is Neuheisel taking us on the campus tour on game day. A lot of coaches I've been to have stopped in periodically, but he took us on his own."
Why was that important to you? Did you feel his dedication to UCLA?
Tai: "It was big. It showed me that he's willing to bring the program back up. He knew what he was talking about. For him to be an alum, to know the place is special. You know he's been through it. He knows his way around."
As a born & raised Las Vegan, I'd like to welcome Sam Tai to the Bruin family.
Thanks for getting these interviews, Jon.
Tai, why?
I played with his dad at Weber STate in Ogden Utah and if he's half the man that his dad is he will dominate. Congratulations Sam make us all proud and remeber what got you there hard work and focus.