Weekly Answers, Pt. 3

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers…

1) How do you feel the football recruiting is going so far? Do you feel UCLA is reaching on some kids? Is UCLA getting the type of kids that fit the school/offense/defense or settling “low hanging fruit?” – Wise Fool
I truly believe UCLA’s recruiting is going just as could be expected for a team coming off its second 4-8 season in three years. I do believe that the new UCLA coaching staff – particularly Mike Johnson – is looking for a certain kid it can work with, and evoke the best from. For a 15-22 regime, that’s usually a 2- or 3-star athlete. There are 4- and 5-star athletes who fit the mold too, but they need to see results. Have patience and understand that if UCLA is even moderate this year – 6-6 – it ends up with a very good class. But 8-4? Monster class.

2) What is the status on Jerry Neuheisel? He is listed on the roster. Is he still going to be a grey-shirt, i.e., enroll in January? – jungleland
Greyshirt.

3) I’ve been very cautiously excited about the arrival of Tresey. On one hand I love blitzing as a way to force errors, which can help us win games against teams with less talent. But I also feel like Hester and Price not only didn’t live up to the hype last year, but were at times a weakness. Do you think the benefits of more blitzing will more than balance out the increased reliance on sub-par corners? – Anonymous
First of all, Hester and Price were often on an island because of zero pass rush, so I don’t think they deserve so much blame. Second of all, I don’t think it’s about “more blitzing” as opposed to “better blitzing.” You can blitz the same exact number of times, but do it in better situations and scenarios, and get double the results. Plus, Datone Jones is back, and that makes a big difference.

4) Lets say everyone’s worst “dead man walking” fears about Neuheisel prove true by the end of the season. How do you see the university reacting? Does Dan Guerrero get to pick another football coach or will he be gone as well? What direction does a university with this much potential and so little success go in terms of a new coach? Does the university finally pony up some Pac 12 cash for a name or do we maintain the status quo? – NorthCampusBruin
Man, is that a loaded question. Frankly, I have no idea. I think Guerrero is in much better standing than Neuheisel is in, because his job is more all-encompassing, but I don’t know what will end up happening. I can’t see UCLA breaking the bank for a new coach if it comes to that, but at the same time, I think they must realize that the old way hasn’t been working.

5) Jordan Barrett (transfer from UNLV) is listed as a RS Soph. on the roster and at TE. Have you seen anything from him? Any chance he sees meaningful snaps after Fauria and Harkey? – UCLA3
I covered him pretty extensively in high school, and I liked him a lot then. He’s a very good football player, and he can definitely play at this level. He needs to work on his body some more, but to have guys like him and Kevin McDermott is very important, particularly if John Young continues to battle injury issues.