National Signing Day saw UCLA whiff on big-name, five-star recruits — especially out-of-state prospects such as linebacker Rashaan Evans (Alabama) and receiver Malachi Dupre (LSU). Bruins head coach Jim Mora acknowledged as much Wednesday evening.

“We were the bridesmaids,” he said. “Heck, we might”ve even been the ring girl on a couple of guys today. But we were in the wedding. We were in the church. That’s our goal.”

He emphasized, however, that the he wouldn’t shy away from going after “big fish” in the future: “We’re never going to go, ‘Hey, you know what, this is an SEC guy. We don’t have a shot.’ If there’s a crack in the door, we’re going to try to bust it down.”