After months, or in some cases years, of recruiting, Wednesday – National Signing Day – marks the end of a long journey for high school football players and college coaches alike, as players announce and sign with the college they will play for. This post will be updated throughout the day with news and analysis of the players who sign with UCLA.
Official list of 2014 UCLA signees
RB Nathan Starks (5’11”, 200 pounds. Englewood, Colo.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
Starks is an all-around back that can beat opponents with his patience, speed and power. He has the ability to be an every down back in the future, but might not be a consistent big play threat.
*ILB Zach Whitley (6’2″, 222 pounds. Galena Park, Tex.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
Ranked among the top 10 at his position, Whitley switched his commitment from Alabama to UCLA and enrolled early. As an inside linebacker, his ability to read the offense and wrap players up points to his talent as a run stopper.
*S Ron Robinson (6’2″, 190 pounds. Corona, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 3]
Robinson makes his presence on the field known with his hard hits. While an adequate pass defender, he makes his impact as a physical tackler.
*DB Mossi Johnson (6’1″, 170 pounds. Los Angeles, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 3, R: 3]
Johnson was a member of the 2013 recruit class but, due to a knee injury, he decided to delay his enrollment to 2014. His strengths lie in pass coverage and he also has the elusiveness to potentially make plays as a returner.
WR Austin Roberts (6’2″, 221 pounds. Carmel, Ind.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
Roberts projects to be a possession receiver with good hands and size and could also be a valuable target in the red zone. His speed is not top end, but he has enough quickness and athleticism to make plays.
QB Aaron Sharp (6’3″, 190 pounds. Houston, Tex.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 3]
A dual-threat quarterback, Sharp’s running ability seems to be ahead of his passing right now. Should things not pan out under center, some scouts believe Sharp could have success at wide receiver.
OL NaJee Toran (6’3, 263 pounds. Galena Park, Tex.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 3]
Toran will likely make the transition from tackle to guard at UCLA, but his quickness – one of his best skills – gives him some versatility.
DE Matt Dickerson (6’5″, 260 pounds. San Mateo, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
While not touted as the most athletic prospect, Dickerson uses his size and height to his advantage and has shown the ability to rush both the pass and the run.
LB Cameron Griffin (6’3″, 210 pounds. Los Angeles, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 3]
Griffin is still a work in progress at linebacker as his pass coverage skills could use some polishing. Expect a redshirt year or playing time on special teams.
CB Adarius Pickett (6’0″, 185 pounds. El Cerrito, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
In a fairly deep class of UCLA defensive backs, Pickett has a chance to be one of the bigger impact players. He’s tall for his position, is strong in both man and zone coverage schemes, and his tackling ability allows him to contribute to the run defense as well.
CB Denzel Fisher (6’2″, 175 pounds. Compton, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 3]
Like Pickett, Fisher is a tall defensive back with cover skills, but his lack of top-end speed could hold him back from being a major defensive contributor immediately.
DT Ainuu Taua (6’1″, 270 pounds. Lompoc, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
Taua is big and can cause lots of problems for opposing offenses. He has a quick first step and the strength to be an effective run stopper and pass rusher at the defensive tackle spot for UCLA.
LB Kenny Young (6’2”, 220 pounds. River Ridge, La.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
Young provides a different look than fellow four-star linebacker Zach Whitley, excelling as a blitzer. He still needs to develop pass coverage skills, but can already play well as a pass rusher and hard-hitter.
WR Alex Van Dyke (6’4″, 200 pounds. Elk Grove, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 4, R: 4]
Van Dyke is a big, physical receiver, who could be valuable in the red zone, given his height, strength and catching ability. He’s not the fastest of receivers, but is shifty enough to make defenders miss.
OL Kolton Miller (6’8″, 280 pounds. Roseville, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 4]
Miller will easily be the tallest player on UCLA’s roster next season. But despite his size, Miller still has the ability to move his feet quickly.
S Jaleel Wadood (5’11”, 165 pounds. Bellflower, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 4, S: 4, R: 4]
Wadood will compete with Pickett for the most impactful defensive back of this class for UCLA. A two-way player in high school, Wadood combines athleticism, physicality and ball skills with great instinct and football knowledge.
DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (6’4″, 265 pounds. Bellflower, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 4, R: 4]
Tuioti-Mariner, a high school teammate of Wadood, has some developing to do, but his strength and physicality as a defensive end make him a valuable prospect for UCLA’s future.
WR Jordan Lasley (6’2″, 180 pounds. Gardena, Calif.) [Star rating – E: 3, S: 3, R: 3]
Lasley is a bit of an overshadowed member of the UCLA wide receiver recruits, ranked a star lower than Austin Roberts and Alex Van Dyke, but he has the potential to make just as big of an impact. He has the size, speed and ability to be a consistent option for UCLA.
Star rating key: E – ESPN, S – Scout, R – Rivals