Football – Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen’s early enrollment at UCLA last January gave him a definitive edge over all other rookies in that he is familiar with the ins and outs of the school and football team before the first day of orientation. Accolades and expectations preceded the St. John Bosco graduate’s arrival on campus, but his performance during spring training proved he was worthy of the praise. Following Brett Hundley’s graduation from the team, an intense competition for quarterback ensued throughout spring practice. As of now, the original field of four has narrowed to two candidates – Rosen and rising redshirt junior Jerry Neuheisel – after rising redshirt junior Asiantii Woulard transferred to the University of South Florida and rising redshirt freshman Aaron Sharp transitioned into the role of receiver. When the football season opens Sept. 5, it will very likely be Rosen lining up to take the snaps for the Bruins.
Compiled by Claire Fahy, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Baseball – Justin Hooper
Left-handed pitcher Justin Hooper towers 7 feet 5 inches over the rest of the playing field. The raised pitching mound only makes the 6-foot-7, 230 pound rising freshman that much more intimidating for opposing hitters. This summer, Hooper was one of eight UCLA baseball recruits selected in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. While four players decided to make the leap straight to professional ball, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 25th round pick decided to become a Bruin instead. Hooper’s signature pitch is his four-seam fastball. While it has been clocked at up to 97 mph in showcase games, the pitch typically sits closer to 92-94 mph. The De La Salle High School product will need to work on his consistency and refine the secondary pitches in his repertoire, but he should get plenty of opportunities as the top prospect in UCLA baseball’s incoming class.
Compiled by Tanner Walters, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Men’s basketball – Prince Ali
Prince Ali has big shoes to fill this year. As the top-rated recruit in UCLA men’s basketball’s freshman class, he follows in the footsteps of some big-time players. In two of the past three seasons, UCLA’s top recruit has ended up being a one-and-done player and a first-round NBA pick. Adding to that pressure is the fact that Ali plays the same position as UCLA’s top scorer from last season – shooting guard Norman Powell, a former top recruit himself. With Powell now playing in the NBA, Ali will likely be called on right away to make significant contributions. The four-star recruit from Florida has the same kind of slashing, attacking style as Powell, with the dunking ability to boot. But similar to Powell, Ali enters UCLA with scouts questioning his perimeter jump shot. He should have a lot of in-game opportunities to improve on that outside jumper this year.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Women’s basketball – Kennedy Burke
The No. 15 overall recruit, as per ESPN, Kennedy Burke is the anchor of UCLA’s recruiting class, which is ranked ninth in the nation. The shooting guard comes to Westwood already well experienced in leadership, having led her high school Sierra Canyon to its second-straight California Interscholastic Federation title last season. Burke averaged a double-double in her final high school season, with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Described by coach Cori Close as a “Kevin Durant-type of player,” Burke has the ability to score at a high volume while also distributing the ball and creating opportunities for her teammates. Freshmen have been known to make an instant impact in this program, as rising sophomore Jordin Canada asserted herself as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season.
Compiled by Claire Fahy, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Women’s golf – Bethany Wu
Bethany Wu finally topped the charts. In her final weeks as a junior golfer, the 18-year-old was named the No. 1 junior golfer in the country by Golfweek. Wu will join a young Bruin team this fall, but UCLA coach Carrie Forsyth said that she expects the incoming freshman to be in competition for one of the top spots on the roster. The Diamond Bar native is most recently coming off a runner-up finish at the 113th Women’s North and South Amateur in North Carolina.
Compiled by Tanner Walters, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Men’s soccer – Malcolm Jones
Ranked the No. 2 recruiting class by College Soccer News, the 2015 Bruins secured an elite and well-rounded flock of incoming talent. Defender Malcolm Jones tops the list of highly ranked commits. The five-star recruit showcased his talent in Major League Soccer reserve games with the Los Angeles Galaxy and this summer appeared on the roster for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team. The defender is regarded as one of the best recruits in the nation by multiple outlets, ranked No. 8 overall by Top Drawer Soccer. With the loss of defensive leader and standout goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., a fresh face on the Bruin backline may be exactly what the team needs in the fall. Jones shows the athleticism, aggression, but most importantly, the maturity, it takes to start immediately in 2015 and develop into a key player as he settles into his role on the team.
Compiled by Nicole Becannon, Bruin Sports contributor.
Women’s soccer – Anika Rodriguez
Anika Rodriguez joins the Bruins at a pivotal moment. There is an undeniable void left in the midfield with the loss of Sarah Killion and Sam Mewis, last season’s top two leaders in points. While it’s unlikely Rodriguez will be able to fill the void completely and expediently, the incoming freshman is a promising addition to the team’s roster. In high school, Rodriguez consistently demonstrated her speed and ability to navigate her way through some of the toughest defenses with poise and foresight that can’t be taught. After an adjustment period to the heightened competition of college soccer, Rodriguez may have the potential to pick up the pieces of the Bruin midfield.
Compiled by Nicole Becannon, Bruin Sports contributor.
Men’s tennis – Max Cressy
After rising sophomore Martin Redlicki ascended into the top half of the lineup last year as a freshman, the Bruins will look for another boost from a first-year player this year. A five-star recruit ranked No. 27 in the nation by Tennis Recruiting Network, Max Cressy won the 30th Annual Los Caballeros Junior Tournament, and also reached the semifinals of the 51th Annual Northridge-Matador Junior Open Tournament and the finals of the J.P. Yamasaki Junior Closed Tournament. Cressy, a French citizen whose family moved to Hermosa Beach so he could train at the Weil Tennis Academy in Ojai, also reached the semifinals in both singles and doubles at the ITA/USTA National Summer Championships.
Compiled by Matt Cummings, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Women’s tennis – Gabrielle Andrews
The women’s tennis team might be entering a rebuilding year after losing most of its starting lineup last season. With three seniors graduated, and a sophomore leaving to play on the Women’s Tennis Association tour, coach Stella Sampras Webster looks to newcomer Gabrielle Andrews to be a cornerstone of a now very different looking team. Andrews is a blue chip recruit, ranked No. 11 in the nation according to Tennis Recruiting Network. She is also a two-time doubles junior slam champion. It would not be surprising to see her in the starting lineup in spring 2016.
Compiled by Korbin Placet, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Men’s water polo – Alex Wolf
The college water polo season has yet to begin and rising freshman Alex Wolf has already made a global impression. A year ago, the 6-foot-7-inch aided the United States to a gold medal at the UANA Junior Pan American Championships and competed at the FINA Youth World Championships goalie a month later. Wolf was named the Orange County Register’s 2014 Water Polo Player of the Year after leading Huntington Beach to its best finish in over 55 years. Wolf made an immediate dive into collegiate water polo as a member of the Bruin roster that represented the United States at the 2015 World University Games this July. Wolf played 219 minutes for the United States, tied for third place out of all goalkeepers with 72 saves and stole the ball in the final seconds against Serbia to secure bronze for the United States. The incoming freshman’s quick reaction time and rigid focus will either make Wolf a threat to rising junior goalie Garrett Danner’s starting position or an experienced, viable backup in coach Adam Wright’s arsenal as UCLA battles toward a repeat national championship.
Compiled by Annie Bardet, Bruin Sports reporter.
Women’s water polo – Louise Hazell
Making the trek all the way from Sweden, attacker Louise Hazell looks to be the Bruins’ best offensive threat. Hazell’s experience in the Futures 50 Classic, as well as being a part of the 2014 National Club Championship team, gives her the experience of playing among some of the most elite players at the collegiate level. Her ability to score goals in crucial situations is expected to bode well for UCLA. After the Bruins lost five graduating seniors, three of whom were attackers, Hazell will have to step into the void and fill the position of second-leading scorer Emily Donohoe. Hazell, as well as the additional recruits for the Bruins, is projected to give UCLA the offensive balance they’ve been searching for.
Compiled by Savannah Shapiro, Bruin Sports reporter.
Men’s volleyball – Micah Ma’a
The Bruins’ setting competition is about to get a little more interesting. Incoming freshman Micah Ma’a, a setter and outside hitter from Kaneohe, Hawaii, is a six-time Junior National Champion and recently played for the 2015 Boys’ Youth National Training Team. The 2015 UCLA men’s volleyball season, a down-year in many regards for the program, used three different setters over the course of the year. After a year in flux, Ma’a might add yet another name into the mix for coach John Speraw to consider. The freshman also spent time as an outside hitter for various volleyball clubs, so Speraw could choose to utilize him there as well. Ma’a is one of four incoming recruits and it appears he will quickly be given the chance to make an impact upon arrival.
Compiled by Tanner Walters, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Women’s volleyball – Alexa Dreyer
Three freshmen will be joining the UCLA women’s volleyball team this fall, but only one will tower over much of the competition when the Bruins take to the court. 6-foot-4-inch middle blocker Alexa Dreyer will be the third-tallest player on the roster, and her height is certain to help anchor the Bruins’ net game in 2015. The San Jose native led Archbishop Mitty High School to a state title in 2014. Dreyer was on varsity all four high school seasons for a Mitty team that ended last year as the No. 1 high school volleyball team nationwide. The honors came pouring in for the team captain after the season, including being named an Under Armour All-American and the MaxPreps Division II Player of the Year for California.
Compiled by Tanner Walters, Bruin Sports senior staff.