An elated UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel announced his first recruiting class during a press conference on Wednesday.
At the end of the night, 22 high school seniors and two junior college transfers had signed National Letters of Intent to become Bruins. The class ranks No. 4 overall in Scout.com’s rankings.
“The UCLA football program had a great day,” Neuheisel said. “It’s just flat exciting to be building the future of this program, one that we’re all very, very anxious to cultivate.”
Following a disappointing 4-8 season in which the Bruins failed to make a bowl game appearance, Neuheisel and his coaching staff stressed the importance of reloading at key positions.
After months of tireless recruiting, the Bruins did just that on Wednesday.
“There were some goals going in,” Neuheisel said. “We looked at our program and saw some needs ““ one of the goals was certainly the offensive line. We were short on numbers and short in particular areas of physical ability.”
Coming off a season in which Bruin quarterbacks were sacked 35 times and ball carriers averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, UCLA addressed its biggest need, signing six offensive linemen.
Perhaps most notably were the signings of two elite, highly touted linemen ““ Stanley Hasiak and Xavier Su’a-Filo. Neuheisel said that both players, like the other incoming linemen, have the opportunity to compete for playing time.
Hasiak, who switched his verbal commitment from UCLA to California and back to the Bruins, is rated amongst the top offensive guards by various recruiting services.
“We got Stanley to reignite that initial love affair that he had with this campus and this program,” Neuheisel said. “This is a big guy who benches 435 pounds right now. He likes football. He likes the physical nature of the game, putting his nose on people. … He’s got the strength to play right away.”
Like Hasiak, Su’a-Filo’s recruitment was unpredictable. In the end though, Su’a-Filo chose UCLA over programs such as USC, LSU, BYU and Utah during a press conference at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah that was broadcasted live on ESPNU.
“He’s an unbelievable talent in terms of what his gifts are physically,” Neuheisel said of Su’a-Filo.
“We had to wait to see him to put the hat on.”
Neuheisel also landed a pair of signees that were originally committed to play at USC.
Morrell Presley, the No. 1 tight end in the country according to numerous publications, is enrolled and began taking courses at the start of winter quarter.
“We’re thrilled with Morrell to be here,” Neuheisel said. “We’re excited with what Morrell brings to our football team. He’s a gifted receiver.”
Wide receiver Randall Carroll of Los Angeles Cathedral High School also spurned the Trojans, announcing his decision on Wednesday night.
“We’re trying to land the best and the brightest for UCLA,” Neuheisel said. “A lot of the best and brightest are on (USC’s) list. So I made it clear that we’re going to go after them regardless.”
The Bruins also signed quarterback Richard Brehaut, who committed long ago and played an integral role in recruiting fellow players. Neuheisel said that Brehaut will enroll for spring quarter and is expected to compete for the quarterback spot during spring practice.
“He’s a leader, he’s got the charisma, the size and speed, and the accuracy to be a great one here at UCLA,” Neuheisel said of Brehaut.
Overall, the Bruins locked up 13 defensive players.
“It’s just a fun day for a football coach,” Neuheisel said. “This is a great day for UCLA football.”