UCLA pushing for trio of Louisiana natives

Three Louisiana recruits are currently visiting UCLA, a thought that could make SEC loyalists feel some mixture of disbelief, indignation and nausea.

Over the last 10 nine years, only one player from the Bayou State — three-star prospect Jeremy McGee — committed to the Bruins. This time around, UCLA is gunning for a trio of top-100 recruits: receiver Malachi Dupre, linebacker Kenny Young and defensive end Davon Godchaux.

How coveted are they? LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron took the time to book the same flight to Los Angeles. Landing even just one of the three could do much for the Bruins’ profile in the Deep South, especially with an announcement coming on ESPNU.

Here’s a look at how they might fit on the roster.

Malachi Dupre, 6-3, 195, #2 WR, #15 overall

UCLA has talent at receiver, but no one that can single-handedly flummox opposing defenses. In 10 seasons, only one Bruin wideout has broken the 1,000-yard mark, which speaks to the pre-Hundley revolving door at quarterback as well as the dearth of top-end targets. Over that same span, only two UCLA receivers were drafted: Matt Slater, used primarily as a returner, and Terrence Austin.

Devin Fuller or Devin Lucien could jump into gamebreaker status as juniors, but Malachi Dupre has the size advantage that pushes his ceiling up even more.

There’s no doubting his athleticism either. As a sophomore, Dupre broke the 2A state record with a 6-7.25 high jump. As a junior, he again added a title in that event, as well as long jump and triple jump.

Kenny Young, 6-2, 225, #5 OLB, #95 overall

Listed as both a middle linebacker or outside linebacker depending on which list you check, Young — who is Dupre’s teammate at state champion John Curtis High — should plug nicely into an already deep unit. UCLA already signed four-star linebacker Zach Whitley out of Galena Park, Texas, and still has a shot at five-star Rashaan Evans despite a cancelled visit.

If all three end up in blue and gold, Jeff Ulbrich can send more of these out to Penn State.

Davon Godchaux, 6-4, 270, #9 strongside DE, #114 overall

Godchaux missed essentially his entire senior season at Plaquemine High with a torn ACL and LCL, and committed to LSU in late September when the Tigers kept their scholarship offer on the table. He’s taken official visits elsewhere, but has said publicly that he intends to stick with his commitment.

If he flips to the Bruins, his post-surgery rehab would likely bury him on the depth chart for the upcoming season.