Making The Grade 2012: Offensive Line
OFFENSIVE LINE
Prospects:
Colby Cyburt ; Carl Hulick ; Lacy Westbrook ; Simon Goines ; Alexandru Ceachir
Rankings: 7/10 - UCLA's offensive line class was good, but you have to believe that if Adrian Klemm had a little more time, it could've been great. The talent out west on the offensive line was the best in years, and while the Bruins got a solid haul - and the return of Xavier Su'a-Filo is huge - there were some major prospects who went elsewhere.
Need: 9/10 - Hard not to judge this a 10/10, but the solid depth at center and guard almost outweigh the need at tackle. Three starters are gone in Mike Harris, Kai Maiava and Sean Sheller, but Su'a-Filo's return and Jeff Baca's probable shift back to tackle gives Klemm some options. If Ceachir is advanced enough to step in at right tackle and be better than average in pass protection, allowing Baca to stay inside, UCLA could have its best line in a decade.
Instant Impact: 7/10 (10/10 if you count Su'a-Filo) - For starters, there is none better than Su'a-Filo. If he returns to his freshman year level, it would be sufficient. If he adds to his game, he'll be one of the best tackles in the conference. Ceachir should get a good look at tackle, but the rest of the unit would be wise to redshirt. And that's exactly how you build depth. With Su'a-Filo, Baca, Greg Capella, Chris Ward, Wade Yandall and Jacob Brendel, plus Brett Downey and Connor Bradford, UCLA has enough to let a class with good potential grow into a great one.
Overall Rating: 23-26/30
What about Torian White? Didn't he redshirt last year? He was a big prospect that should be ready to help out as well. Looking forward to redshirting some of these guys and having a competent line going forward. I am very interested to see what kind of player Su'a-Filo is after his hiatus.
As has been said many times, this is where it begins. This unit is the critical piece. We should never be satisfied. Build on this, c'mon Coach Klemm, bring em in.
Goines needs a redshirt year. His video showed him getting stood up at the point of attack. Hmmmm. Come to think of it, he'll fit right in with the current OL. Goines looks like he can move pretty well though.
Movers. Shakers. Hogs.
More! More! More!
May we become the corn-fed capitol for Klemm to land these guys.
I think most of these young O-line will redshirt to get into college football shape and start comprehending the new blocking schemes. Year two will start to determine if UCLA coaches can develop talent. Overall a solid group of O-line recruits.