NEW Weekly Q&A

Jon, Is it true that Jayson Allmond is transferring? Some guy on bruingold said he told him that he is, but I haven't been able to find anything on it. I know you can get to the bottom of it! Thanks!

There shouldn't be any incoming recruits, except for possibly Hundley, that will be challenging for major minutes on next year's team. Since you have already seen most of the current players in game action or at least in practice, what are your early, early, early predictions for the success of next year's squad? Also, knowing this year's recruiting class will be smaller than the previous 3, what/who would need to be in the class for it to be considered a success?

Hey Jon--Happy New Year. Next BB season we will have a lot of big men. How do you see them being used, with Nelson, Lane, Smith, Stover and the Wears all looking for time? Thanks for a great blog!

In your opinion, what are our chances of Getting Wayne Lyons or any other high-level recruit?

Jon,

Do we have any football "silent commits"? If so, are any rated in the top ten in their position?

Thanks!

Whether Harbaugh stays at Stanford or goes to the Niners, it would seem to me that Fangio would remain his defensive coordinator. Regardless of where Harbaugh goes, did UCLA ever have a realistic shot of landing Fangio?

Is there any reason why there isn't any recruiting coverage on this blog??? What's going on with the coaching staff...new hires?Chow?Gansz gonna stay? He shouldn't. Where's the UCLA football answers this is the second football season and it's been abandon by you, why???

Scout is saying that UCLA has somewhat decent to so-so chances of signing the following FB recruits, please advise what you've heard on any of them: CB Stefan McClure, DT Christian Heyward, DE Brennan Scarlett, OG Cyrus Hobbi, WR Devin Lucien. Also, are there still silent commits?

True or False: As Reeves Nelson goes, so goes the UCLA Bruins. Part II: Do you think Reeves has the mental toughness and make-up to be a consistent elite college basketball player? When Reeves' head is in the game, he's a beast and looks the part of a lottery pick player. But when he gets down on himself (as he often does), he looks like a completely different player. Does this have to do with immaturity or something else?

Thanks for all of your hard work Jon.

You’ve mentioned that CRN is waiting for a few things to play out. It sounds like Harbough’s decision will ultimately lead to a domino effect amongst coaches in the NFL and College ranks. Do you see anything similar happening on the recruiting front? Any possible Stanford recruits heading to UCLA? Should UCLA go after anyone in particular?

Thanks again, happy holidays.

Sounds like you like BBQ, try Bludso’s in Compton.

Do you have any updates in regards to CRN's coaching changes?

Coach Rick has commented he wants a DC that can run both the 4-3 and 3-4. But with all our youth at D-line, do we have anyone big enough or strong enough to handle nose tackle?

Can we expect any of the senior o-linemen to get Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine game invites?

Any real shot at L. J. Rose?

Could Norman Powell become a PG, like Russell Westbrook?

Jon,

Retweeting in the world of Twitter is akin to typing in all caps in an online forum. It's considered lazy and gauche. They're both abrasive and unfriendly. People don't follow you on twitter to hear others' opinions, they follow to hear yours. Why is it you retweet so much?

Hi Jon,

Far-fetched...but what if the NCAA allowed players to remain on their college teams after they have been drafted the way baseball does? So a player could opt of the draft and yet still mature on a team -- basketball, football, or baseball -- until the big leagues called them up. Maybe make a guaranteed salary until graduation. I guess most rookies would play immediately, though. Also, how do we scrap the BCS but retain the bowls for the lesser teams? Think a top 6 or 8 playoff would work, using the current top Bowls (Fiesta, Rose, Orange, Sugar)while all teams out of the top 6 or 8 would play in the remaining ten zillion bowl match-ups? Thanks...oh, and one more, do you think Neuheisel is a good coach? Not good recruiter, but good coach?

Is it true that Morrell Presley is looking to transfer?

Last week in answer to a question, you predicted Richard Brehaut as the starting quarterback for next season. Setting aside Brett Hundley, here's my question: Who is the better quarterback between Richard Brehaut and Kevin Prince if you make the assumption that neither one is injured throughout an entire season? In other words, which one has the greatest potential to develop in the position? And, why?

OK, I can see Akeem Ayers leaving early - makes sense. But what do you think about Rahim Moore and Andrew Luck? Rahim - they are saying may be a 2nd round pick. Do you leave early for that?? Then there is Andrew Luck... his decision makes NO sense to me with the threat of a rookie salary cap beginning in 2012 (did he receive a concussion celebrating his Orange Bowl victory?). Odds are he wont be increasing his draft position staying another year. I think he needs to talk to Harbaugh and re-evaluate his decision. What's your 2 cents?

Hey Jon,

UCLA is currently ranked at or near the bottom for 2011 FB Recruiting. I know CRN has more of a last minute philosophy for recruiting, but realistically, where do you see us finishing in the PAC-10 this year?

One difference I've noticed between this year's basketball team and the final four teams is that our defenders seems to be caught in the air a lot, which makes them look undisciplined. Looking back at the greatest defensive performance I can remember ... vs. Memphis in 2006, our bigs (Mata-Real and Aboya) either took charges when guards charged into the lane, or kept their hands up and feet on the ground when guarding bigs in the post. Conversely, UCLA on offense would routinely pump-fake to catch opposing team's defenders out of position and generate easier buckets or 3-point-play opportunities. Is this a missing by the coaches? Or have you see more of an emphasis on shot-blocking (which has improved markedly this year)?

One difference I've noticed between this year's basketball team and the final four teams is that our defenders seems to be caught in the air a lot, which makes them look undisciplined. Looking back at the greatest defensive performance I can remember ... vs. Memphis in 2006, our bigs (Mata-Real and Aboya) either took charges when guards charged into the lane, or kept their hands up and feet on the ground when guarding bigs in the post. Conversely, UCLA on offense would routinely pump-fake to catch opposing team's defenders out of position and generate easier buckets or 3-point-play opportunities. Is this a missing by the coaches? Or have you see more of an emphasis on shot-blocking (which has improved markedly this year)?

Jon,
Our Bruin ladies basketball team is doing really well.Why so little press?

With Jayson Allmond transferring , is it true that Todd Golper is being asked to play Fullback. He was really good at that spot in high school but I thought he was highly recruited as a linebacker.

In the latest basketball game against USC, which was at the Galen Center, I was surprised to see the Trojans wearing black uniforms. NCAA rules says, "Opposing team uniforms shall be of contrasting colors. The home team should wear light game jerseys and the away team should wear dark game jerseys. ... The team that violates this rule shall change." Did USC request some sort of exemption for this game or for all of their home games?