Freshman safety Nate Meadors hopes to crack UCLA rotation

A year ago this time, Nate Meadors was a senior at San Gorgonio High School without a single major conference scholarship offer. The precipitous ascent of over the last 12 months could land him in the UCLA secondary rotation as a true freshman.

Meadors played out of position his final year of high school, but the athleticism he displayed as a quarterback led to an onslaught of scholarship offers including Notre Dame, Oregon and several other Pac-12 programs. The safety’s choice of UCLA looks good so far.

After enrolling in the spring, Meadors made significant inroads during spring practice. The 6-foot, 190-pound freshman has put on 10 pounds since joining the Bruins and likes his chances to earn playing time this season.

“That was the whole reason I came to spring practice, was so I could get a better edge, better for me so I could play as a true freshman,” Meadors said. “I think I’m doing pretty well so far and once I get all the plays down, I’ll be really good.”

The last year is a blur for Meadors, but he thinks things are finally coming into focus.

“It’s surreal,” he said. “I didn’t think I was going to get offered…UCLA was my dream school. I worked hard all my senior year to get this and now that I’m here, I’m trying to make the best of it.”