Buena Park High defensive back Elijah Gates is part of an 18-player UCLA recruiting class that was heavy on defense and offensive linemen. (Photo by Bill Alkofer,Orange County Register/SCNG)

Six weeks ago, UCLA’s recruiting class was 47th in the nation, according to Scout. By the end of the Signing Day festivities, the Bruins had vaulted up to 21st.

UCLA made major moves in the month of January to make up for its slow start to the recruiting cycle to end up with the third-best class in the Pac-12, but the haul is the worst in the Jim Mora era, according to rankings from Scout and Rivals.

Rivals has the group ranked 21st in the country. The 2014 class was lowest ranked class previously, checking in at 20th in Scout’s rankings and 16th in Rivals’.

ESPN ranked the class 18th, which is the third worst under Mora. The 2012 class was 19th and the 2014 class was 26th.

Of course, the rankings go out the window when teams hit the field again for spring practice.

“We don’t look at rankings other than to just get a general idea of how people around the country view our players,” Mora said. “We trust our eyes. We have over 80 years of playing and evaluating experience at the highest level, the NFL level, so we try to evaluate as an NFL staff would and that involved involves evaluating character, certainly potential. But you’re guessing on some things.”

The 18-man class is also the smallest under Mora. When he talked about the group on Wednesday, Mora said the team is close to where it should be, but he’s intending to add some graduate transfers to add leadership and experience.

“We have a very, very young team, if you look at our roster,” he said. “A lot of young players. And that’s great, we’re happy with them: They’re young, talented players. but we’d like to add a couple of guys at key positions that can add some veteran depth at our team.”