UCLA head coach Jim Mora recapped the Bruins’ 2016 recruiting class on Wednesday afternoon, one that he said “filled a lot of needs.” The haul is ranked in the national top 10 by both Rivals and Scout.
After a stellar performance on National Signing Day, UCLA announced a surprise commitment from JUCO transfer Chigozie Nnoruka.
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle was a freshman at American River College in Sacramento this past season, where he played on the same defensive line as Bruin early signee Nick Terry.
Four-star defensive tackle Boss Tagaloa announces his commitment to UCLA, capping a top-10 class for the Bruins.
Four-star defensive tackle Boss Tagaloa committed to UCLA on Wednesday afternoon, giving the Bruins a decorated recruiting class as they enter the fifth season of Jim Mora’s tenure.
Regarded as one of the top-15 defensive tackles in the country — as well as one of the top 25 recruits in California at any position — Tagaloa has the potential to immediately plug into the Bruins’ rotation up front. Defensive line depth has been an issue for the team, which is returning former five-star recruit Eddie Vanderdoes from a torn ACL, but lost All-Pac-12 first-teamer Kenny Clark to the NFL draft.
Tagaloa was the last recruit to announce for UCLA on National Signing Day, doing so shortly after tight end Devin Asiasi — his Concord (Calif.) De La Salle teammate — picked Michigan over both the Bruins and USC.
Besides Asiasi and receiver Aaron Hansford, who opted for Texas A&M, Mora and his staff hit on just about every player they pursued down the final stretch.
Five-star linebacker Mique Juarez has picked UCLA, marking the biggest addition to the Bruins’ impressive 2016 recruiting class.
The North Torrance High star announced his decision on Wednesday afternoon, picking up a UCLA hat over Alabama, Ole Miss and BYU. He is just the second top-10 consensus national prospect to join the Bruins during Jim Mora’s tenure, following quarterback Josh Rosen.
Juarez was a two-way threat in high school, and could quickly fill the type of dynamic role that Myles Jack did at UCLA for a little over two seasons before tearing his meniscus this past September.
Three-star offensive guard Francisco “Paco” Perez has flipped his commitment from Cal to UCLA, giving the Bruins some more depth up front.
The Baldwin Park High product announced his decision on Wednesday morning in an on-campus ceremony, then sent his signed letter of intent just a few minutes later. Scout.com ranks him as the third-best offensive guard prospect in California.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman may not see immediate playing time, but could very well feature into the two-deep rotation during practices. UCLA could use more depth on the interior after losing three-year starter Alex Redmond as an early entry into the NFL draft, as well as freshman Fred Ulu-Perry as a transfer to Hawaii.