Not just a dream for much longer… #CardClass18 pic.twitter.com/G4SIndZP8V
— Trey Stratford (@TreyStratford) December 3, 2017
UCLA seemingly wrapped up its offensive line recruiting class by July. Now, the Bruins are without a single offensive line commit for the 2018 group after three-star prospect Trey Stratford flipped to Stanford on Sunday.
Stratford committed to UCLA on June 24 as UCLA’s fifth offensive lineman for this class. The group started to fall apart in November though as junior college transfer Jason Dickson and Northern California product Blake McDonald backed out when whispers of Jim Mora‘s job security started to pick up after UCLA lost to Washington. Chris Bleich flipped to Florida last week, citing coaching uncertainty, then Stratford announced his pledge to Stanford.
The Bruins also recruited Corvallis, Ore., prospect Marco Brewer, but the three-star recruit was charged with rape during the summer and didn’t play high-school football as a senior.
Stratford seemingly doubled-down on his UCLA commitment only a few days ago in a now-deleted tweet that said he was planning to sign on Dec. 20 during the early signing period and was excited to play for “his future coach” Hank Fraley. Chip Kelly‘s new coaching staff is not yet set, but there have been indications that the new head coach is expected to retain several of Mora’s former assistants.
With less than three weeks before the signing period, UCLA’s recruiting class is in major flux. The Bruins have also lost running back AJ Carter, a three-star prospect from Louisiana. Carter said told the Shreveport Times he has backed off his UCLA pledge and is now looking for an offense that suits his skill set more.
Four-star safety Cam’ron Jones also seems to be exploring his options. The Texas native recently received an offer from Mississippi.
Despite many changes around him, cornerback Stephan Blaylock told the Long Beach Press-Telegram he is still with the Bruins.