UCLA loses out on Lyons, Lyerla, Smith: What’s next?

UCLA lost out on targets Wayne Lyons, Colt Lyerla and Donovan Smith at the US Army All-American game on Saturday, as the three verbally committed to Stanford, Oregon and Penn State, respectively.

I’m hoping to chat with Scout.com West Recruiting Manager Brandon Huffman in the next couple of days to get a clearer picture of UCLA’s recruiting finish. Signing Day is 25 days from today.

Here is a look at some remaining targets for UCLA (using Scout.com rankings), though I wouldn’t be shocked if Rick Neuheisel pulled off a surprise or two by signing day:

#1 LB Tony Steward
Odds: Steward likes UCLA and really enjoyed his trip, but I’m told he wants to stay closer to home, and it looks like Florida State is going to get him.

#7 CB Stefan McClure
Odds: Huffman has long thought that McClure would end up at UCLA, and that sounds about right.


Odds: Hobbi has UCLA in his top three along with Arizona State and USC, and says he favors academics and a chance to play early. That plays in the Bruins favor, as does the fact that his final official visit is in Westwood on Jan. 21, but the home-state Sun Devils will be hard to beat.

#17 DT Christian Heyward
Odds: After being heavily in the mix for a long time for Heyward, UCLA’s on the outside looking in, it seems. He has an official visit with UCLA planned, and he says he’s waiting on the new defensive coordinator, but it’s not looking good.

#19 DE Brennan Scarlett
Odds: Scarlett has UCLA in his top five and really enjoyed his visit, but Neuheisel will have to fend off a trio of Pac-12 rivals – USC, Cal and Stanford – as well as Notre Dame for his services

#22 DT Kevin McReynolds
Odds: McReynolds has consistently lauded UCLA and the Bruins have put a lot of work in for him during and after his Dec. 3 visit. UCLA is still in play.

#45 WR Devin Lucien
Odds: Lucien’s offer came a bit later than expected, but the Bruins are definitely in the mix for the Crespi star, if not the favorites.