It's been a while since we took a look at the recruiting going on for the Bruins and there has been some major news and some huge developments since the start of the season so why don't we look at the guys UCLA has committed right now and who is still out there that the Bruins are hoping to lock up on signing day.

So today we are going to stick with the offensive side of the ball where we have a more clear picture on the recruiting outlook.

One quote that I heard this week about how hard Rick Neuheisel has been working on recruiting is, "Rick Neuheisel is to recruiting as Tiger Woods is to womanizing." Signing day should prove this point further.

QB:
After getting turned down by a few prospects it felt like Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow were seemingly settling for Brett Nottingham from Monte Vista High School in Danville. However, after the Senior season that Nottingham put together, they may have found a real sleeper. Nottingham just finished his season with some real ridiculous numbers. Nottingham completed about 70 percent of his passes for 3,962 yards and 45 touchdowns. Nottingham looks to come in and add some depth and competition to the Quarterback rotation. But in the end look for him to redshirt and create some space between him and the three quarterbacks currently on the roster.
Status: Commit



RB:
This runningback class could end up being the best in the nation. The gem of the class is Malcolm Jones from Oaks Christian in Westlake. Jones was awarded the Gatorade National Player of the Year award this week, joining such greats as Emmitt Smith and Peyton Manning. Jones finished this season with 2,156 yards and 36 touchdowns on only 198 carries. Also, keep in mind that Jones rarely played in the second half of most games because Oaks Christian already had most games wrapped up. Jones could also play linebacker where he recorded 136 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He is a program changing recruit and will be a huge factor at UCLA for a while.
Status: Commit



Joining Jones is Jordan James from Corona High School. James is more of a speed back, but don't get me wrong, he is a 20 carry back. While someone like Jonathan Franklin is a speed back who rarely runs between the tackles James is a guy who thrives using his speed up the middle. He and Jones will be a formidable duo carrying the load for the Bruins.
Status: Commit



WR/TE:
Robert Woods from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena is the number one rated wide out in the nation, according to scout.com. He is also committed to playing for USC next year. But from all the reports going around lately the Bruins are not out of it for Wood's services. Coach Neuheisel has made Woods a priority for a position that UCLA already has great depth at. If Woods were to switch, he would be the third player from pass catching positions to do so over the last two years.
Status: Offered, committed to USC, still a chance



Wood's teammate Paul Richardson was the Bruin's first commitment for this year when he pledged to UCLA last spring. However, the Bruin legacy opened his recruitment up again this year. But don't read to much into that. He still heavily favors the Bruins and it is believe that he will be a Bruin when all is said and done. So much so that it would be a huge upset if he chose to go somewhere else.
Status: Offered, almost certainty he is a Bruin



The transfer of Joseph Fauria from Notre Dame to UCLA this spring really removed the pressing need for the Bruins to add a tight end in this class, however they got one anyway. John Young from Loyola High School in LA adds depth to the deepest position at UCLA. Young is however a good one and could even end up playing on the offensive line if he puts on some weight. The commitment of Young also helps to open up more inroads to Loyola High School which has always produced some good talent.
Status: Commit



OL:
At 6-foot-8-inches and 30o pounds Seantrel Henderson would be a huge prospect to land, both literally and figuratively. Unfortunately it is going to be difficult to get him to come west unless it is to go across town. He is also being recruited by Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC. Rumor has it USC is leading for him, but he has been very quiet during the duration of his recruitment.
Status: Offered, unlikely to be a Bruin



Kody Innes from Scottsdale, Arizona was almost a surprise commit. However he is a typical offensive linemen that could provide depth for the Bruins. He could end up being a real sleeper in this class, almost like Jeff Baca from two years ago. He is a redshirt candidate but is a good get for the Bruins.
Status: Commit



Chris Ward from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana added his name to the Bruins commitment list almost immediately after Malcolm Jones announced his intention to go to UCLA. Not only was he a priority but he, like Jones, came from a school that UCLA has never recruited well. So for the Bruins to get both Jones and Ward within a week of each other was in a word, mammoth. Ward is a college ready guard who will challenge for a spot in the rotation almost immediately.
Status: Commit



Sil Ajawara is another candidate for the uncommitted-who-will-likely-be-a-Bruin-list. He has been a fast rising and much improved player. He is a redshirt candidate who, once he gets used to the college game, will be a great pick up. Ajawara will announce his decision most likely in the next week or two.
Status: Offered, likely a Bruin



Wade Yandall is almost the same description as Sil Ajawara, however he is even closer to being a Bruin. Yandall also has the size and weight needed to make an immediate impact. Yandall did recently visit Arizona State and it looks like it will be one or the other for Yandall.
Status: Offered, likely a Bruin




We will look at the defensive side of the ball next time. There are a lot more question marks and a lot more of an impact to be made by recruits immediately. So look for that next time.

After a month of Swine Flu and the Bruins going 3-1, I am back and better than ever.

Well if you don't count the expletive laced tirade I went on after Pete Carroll showed the kind of class that he teaches at South Central U.

Aside from the fact that the Bruins may get a bowl bid, there is really nothing left to do but thank the seniors for going through the wilderness time of Bruin football and look ahead to next year.

From the looks of everything the defense will be going through a bit of a transition. The defensive line looses a lot of depth and talent. Korey Bosworth, Jess Ward, and Jerzy Siewierski all graduate. Add to that list the best player on the UCLA roster this year Brian Price, who is expected to leave early to enter the NFL draft. That is a big hit to absorb for a unit that was really starting to gel at the end of the season.



The front four next year is difficult to predict because a lot of recruiting power is going towards bringing in guys that could fill those holes. Word is Coach Rick Neuheisel is looking to bring in eight defensive line recruits. That is four more than they have committed right now. But the players that are still uncommitted are all players that could potentially come in and start right away.

At defensive end the Bruins return season long starter Datone Jones. Jones had a somewhat disappointing season, I had high expectations for him. But another year and another offseason of weights will only help. On the other side the Bruins could put out a number of guys. Freshman Keenan Graham redshirted this year and was awarded scout team MVP. He is believed to be the best young pass rusher on the roster. He is quick off the snap and could end up being a similar player to Bruce Davis. The other options are Damien Holmes who played well this year and showed that he is a real high motor guy,Itua Tepa who was forced in to playing this year because Graham broke his jaw and sat out, or JC transfer Marquis Jackson who was unblockable last year playing for College of the Canyons.

Defensive tackle is a mess if Brian Price doesn't come back. The only player returning who got significant playing time is David Carter who has seemed to finally hit his stride. The only hope is that the Bruins can bring in a guy like George Uko from Chino, CA. Uko is ready to play at the major college level and he appears to be high on the Bruins wish list. Hopefully Neuheisel can work some magic and get him to sign on the dotted line in February.

Linebacker is the other question mark for the defense. The Bruins lose Kyle Bosworth and team leader Reggie Carter. I am really sad to see Reggie go, ever since the 13-9 game against USC in 2006 he has been my favorite Bruin by a longshot. He will be greatly missed as the heart and soul of this defense. The bright spot of the linebacking group is that Akeem Ayers seems to have really figured out what he does best and he is doing it. He is going to be the next star at linebacker for the Bruins, I just hope that the coaching staff finds two more linebackers to play alongside Akeem.



It looks like middle linebacker is going to be a battle between Steve Sloan who played a lot last year because of injury but played very little this year, Patrick Larrimore who has made a name on special teams, and freshman Todd Golper has all the skills and brains to be the next quarterback of the defense. Outside linebacker is really where the depth chart looks thin. My hope is that one of the freshmen recruits can come in and play immediately to help shore up a position of need.



The secondary will be the strength of the defense for the foreseeable future. With Alterraun Verner graduating, the Bruins do lose an all-American leader at cornerback, but they also have a lot of talent that was playing around him. Hopefully Aaron Hester will use the disappointment of an injury plagued season to come back next year with a chip on his shoulder and ready to put on a show. Sheldon Price struggled this year as a freshman who was not ready to play, but that experience will be huge next year. Andrew Abbot showed his value as anickleback and someone who can help in run support. Courtney Viney showed that he plays a lot bigger than his 5-7 frame. There isn't much to be said about Rahim Moore that hasn't been said. He led the NCAA in interceptions as a sophomore. If he is able to add some weight and help more in the running game he will be one of the greats. Strong safety seems to be one of the only question marks in the secondary. It will be interesting to see who comes away with that job.





The offensive side of the ball should remain unchanged for the most part.

Kevin Prince showed flashes of brilliance, but he also showed that he can be injury prone. Hopefully some added weight and learning to slide feet first will help solve those injury questions. Also I wouldn't count out Richard Brehaut. Yes he struggled this year, but he was also a true freshman playing in his first college situations. I think Brehaut will bounce back and its possible that he could end up taking the starting job from Prince. But I will say that I like what Prince can do. It seems like he ready my article from after the Arizona game to light a fire under him. Hey Kevin, happy to help.



The running back position appears to have been mishandled a bit this year. I like Jonathan Franklin but his fumbles have to stop. Watching him carry the ball is like watching a slasher movie, I know something terrible is going to happen and I am terrified to watch for when it does. But I think that a year of working on ball placement and getting stronger will help him to be a better back next year. I thought Milton Knox should have gotten more carries, even if it was just out of theOso Loco formation (or the Wildcat for those that haven't heard of this moniker). He seemed to be the most complete of the runningbacks and I wish he had gotten the ball more. The position does appear to get more crowded with the addition of Malcolm Jones and Jordan James. Jones is a big beast of a back who can be relied on to carry the ball 30 times a game. James is the scat back that provides a good change of pace to Jones. I am not sure how the addition of these two changes the depth chart, but I am glad that they are on the roster.





The pass catchers on the team are by far the most talented group and they will get better next year. The loss of Terrence Austin is not very big when you consider that they add Josh Smith, the transfer from Colorado. Smith is almost like Austin version 2.0. He is faster, stronger, and more elusive, while still doing the same kinds of things. He is going to step in right away and be aplaymaker next year. Taylor Embree and Nelson Rosario both showed that they can be reliable players catching the ball. I just hope that Rosario's terrible game against SC doesn't have a negative effect on him going forward. Add into the mix an older and wiser Randall Carroll and a bigger and stronger Morrell Presley and we are looking at some weapons and mismatches to play with.



Now for the best news. The offensive line brings everyone back. Everyone. The only possible hiccup is that Xavier Su'a-Filo may take his Mormon mission, but apparently he is leaning towards putting it off. Throw in the fact that Stanley Hasiak is doing well and will be trying to get a redshirt for this past year, and there is a lot to look forward to from this line for next year.



I will say that the best thing about this year has been the fact that everyone gained experience. Looking at the two deep lineup from the USC game 28 players who are either freshman or sophomores crack the top two. That is going to be a huge plus going forward for the coaching staff.

Speaking of the coaching staff, there was some speculation that this would be Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow's last season in Westwood. That the tension between him and Neuheisel was too much to overcome. I am hearing that the tension was way overblown and that Chow likes being in Westwood. He also wants to see the turnaround of the UCLA program through to completion. So he should be in Blue and Gold for at least another two years.



Only 277 more days until we see if the offseason helped the young Bruins to improve.