What to watch for during the early signing period

Mater Dei’s Andrew Faoliu, left, pursues Bishop Gorman’s quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Santa Ana on Friday, September 1, 2017. Thompson-Robinson is a UCLA commit. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Chip Kelly will sign his first official recruits as UCLA’s head coach this week, but just how many prospects will put pen to paper during the sport’s first-ever early signing period?

The Bruins have 12 known verbal commitments for the class of 2018 so far. Some are wavering and will delay their signings. Others are ready to make it official and send in their national letters of intent this week. Here’s some of what to watch for this week with UCLA’s recruiting class:

Aaron Maldonado decommits from UCLA

With one day before the early signing period, Bishop Amat defensive lineman Aaron Maldonado announced his decommitment from UCLA on Tuesday, writing that the new coaching staff said the two-time Mission League Defensive MVP “wouldn’t fit in their defensive scheme.”

Maldonado was UCLA’s longest-held verbal commitment as he pledged to the Bruins in March. He is a three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings, and also has offers from Cal, BYU and Boise State.

“I know I will find a new home,” Maldonado wrote on Twitter.

UCLA has 12 verbal commitments remaining with the early signing period set to begin Wednesday. Many recruits could choose to delay their signings until February, however. The group is currently ranked 18th in the country and third in the Pac-12.

A list of UCLA’s known verbal commits as of Tuesday evening:

  • WR Kyle Phillips
  • QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
  • S Stephan Blaylock
  • CB Olaijah Griffin
  • WR CJ Parks
  • DE Abdul-Malik McClain
  • WR Jahan Dotson
  • RB Kazmeir Allen
  • OL Alec Anderson
  • WR/DB Bryan Addison
  • WR Chase Cota
  • LB Bo Calvert

Linebacker Bo Calvert flips from USC to UCLA

Chip Kelly‘s staff plucked a recruit from rival USC on Monday as four-star outside linebacker Bo Calvert flipped from the Trojans to UCLA.

Calvert had been committed to USC since April 6, but went on an official visit to Westwood last weekend. He also had offers from Nebraska, Utah and Notre Dame.

The 6-foot-4, 209-pound linebacker from Oaks Christian is a four-star prospect according to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings and a U.S. Army All-American. He broke his leg in October and missed the remainder of the season.

He is UCLA’s 13th known commitment for the 2018 class and can sign as early as Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. UCLA doesn’t have any other linebackers committed for this class so far and only signed one, Rahyme Johnson, last year.

Here are some of Calvert’s highlights from this year:

How UCLA’s recruiting class is shaping up

Olaijah Griffin returns a 4th quarter interception for a touchdown against Long Beach Poly in 2017. Griffin is committed to UCLA, but is still visiting other schools after the coaching change. (Photo by Scott Varley, Press-Telegram)

UCLA’s mad recruiting dash is on.

Chip Kelly has added four new commits since taking over in Westwood and has his eye on several other big-name prospects with the early signing period approaching on Dec. 20.

The Bruins have 12 commits for the 2018 class as of Saturday morning and the group ranks 20th in the country and third in the Pac-12, according to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings.

Here is a look at UCLA’s recruiting situation, from who’s in, who’s out and who’s still on UCLA’s radar.

A list of the Bruin commits so far:

  • DL Aaron Maldonado
  • WR Kyle Philips
  • QB Dorian Thompson Robinson
  • S Stephan Blaylock
  • CB Olaijah Griffin
  • WR CJ Parks
  • DE Abdul-Malik McClain
  • WR Jahan Dotson
  • RB Kazmeir Allen
  • OL Alec Anderson
  • CB/WR Bryan Addison
  • WR Chase Cota

UCLA loses longest-held commit ATH Isaiah Johnson

A few hours after UCLA grabbed a commitment from the top athlete in the country, Isaiah Johnson, a three-star athlete from Modesto Downey High, backed off the pledge he made in March.

Johnson, who was UCLA’s longest-held commit left in this class, told 247 Sports he’s still interested in several Pac-12 schools, including Cal, Colorado, Arizona and Washington State.

The Bruins have 11 known verbal commitments for the 2018 class, including three new ones under new head coach Chip Kelly. Serra athlete Bryan Addison announced his pledge Sunday night, joining running back Kazmeir Allen and offensive tackle Alec Anderson as Kelly’s first new commitments at UCLA.

Kelly hosted his first round of official visits last weekend. Tight end Tommy Tremble and offensive lineman Jarrett Bell, both undecided three-star recruits, were among the group that included Addison and committed quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The recruits toured the Rose Bowl, posed for photos in the Wasserman Football Center and met with coaches.

Tremble will announce his decision this Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Georgia native is deciding between Georgia, Notre Dame, Michigan and UCLA.