Three-star defensive end Rick Wade commits to UCLA

UCLA has landed the second defensive lineman in its 2015 class.

Scout.com first reported that three-star prospect Rick Wade picked the Bruins Thursday evening over USC. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end notched 67 tackles for Santa Margarita High in Orange County as a junior last year.

He is the first defensive end in UCLA’s current recruiting cycle, with the Bruins having landed defensive tackle Bryce English last week.

UCLA ranked seventh in preseason USA Today coaches’ poll

UCLA’s hype shows no sign of slowing down.

The Bruins are ranked seventh in the preseason USA Today coaches’ poll — matching up with the Vegas odds that came out last week.

That puts the team behind Ohio State and ahead of Michigan State, last season’s respective Orange Bowl runner-up and Rose Bowl winner.

Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Oregon is ranked fourth overall behind — in order — Florida State, Alabama and Oklahoma. Stanford and USC are ranked 11th and 15th, while Arizona State and Washington round out the conference at 18th and 25th.

See the full Amway/USA Today coaches’ poll below: Continue reading “UCLA ranked seventh in preseason USA Today coaches’ poll” »

Dan Guerrero: Pauley Pavilion will be ready for UCLA basketball season

Cleanup crew mops the floor at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles Daily News)

Cleanup crew mops the floor at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles Daily News)

Despite being flooded on Tuesday due to a water-main break north of campus, UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion will be ready when basketball season starts in November.

“When we saw the flood going down onto the court, it certainly was of concern to us,” athletic director Dan Guerrero said Wednesday. “After getting the water off yesterday and bringing the experts in, we’ve been assured today that we’ll be able to play in Pauley this year.”

He added that the building is structurally sound, though it was still too early to assess the costs of repairing the damage. Nearly all of the basketball court hardwood appeared to be warped to some degree; Guerrero said that if it needs to be replaced, the campus will have time to do it by basketball season. However, the Bruins may need to practice in either the Wooden Center or Student Athletic Center.

Guerrero also did not elaborate on any potential contingency plans for playing elsewhere should the repairs be slower than expected. “We don’t see that as an option,” he said.

The men’s basketball team starts its season on Nov. 14, while the women’s team plays its first official home game on Nov. 23. The volleyball teams were slated to play most of their games in the Wooden Center.

Acosta Athletic Complex and Bud Knapp Football Center sustained only “minimal damage.” Continue reading “Dan Guerrero: Pauley Pavilion will be ready for UCLA basketball season” »

Brett Hundley featured on Sports Illustrated’s regional cover

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley graces the regional cover of Sports Illustrated.

Brett Hundley, bringin’ it.

Brett Hundley is standing among the pros this week.

Heading into his final collegiate season, the UCLA quarterback made a regional cover of Sports Illustrated, one that teases a feature written by Lee Jenkins. The issue includes top-32 position rankings for fantasy leagues, with every other version of the magazine cover featuring an NFL running back.

The Green Bay Packers’ Eddie Lacy graces the national cover, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles and the Philadelphia Eagles’ LeSean McCoy made the two other regional covers.