How does Brett Nottingham’s decommitment from UCLA affect the Bruins’ future?
Mashhood: The big time quarterback just pulled out from his commitment with UCLA and Neuheisel “didn’t take the news well.” ‘Nuff said. UCLA just lost their quarterback of the future to Stanford. Suit up, Nick Crissman.
Eshoff: The name should’ve been a giveaway. Everyone knows that the Sheriff of Nottingham gravitates towards Prince Jim Harbaugh and the rich. Luckily, UCLA will have Kevin Prince playing the role of Robin Hood for the next three years.
What position will star recruit Malcolm Jones play next year?
Mashhood: Linebacker. Malcolm Jones, the linebacker. He was recruited by the man himself, Chuck Bullough, a linebacking machine. How many tackles you figure on gettin’ this season, Malcolm? I’m figurin’ on a hundred.
Eshoff: How many times did the Bruins execute miserably at the goal line this season? Jones will be the instant solution to all of those short-yardage, power-running solutions at his natural position: the thunder to Johnathan Franklin’s lightning.
Which position will UCLA look to improve the most via recruiting?
Mashhood: D-line. UCLA has a weak front line for the first time in ages. With Brian Price no longer eating up three blockers, the Bruins have to look deep for a replacement. P.S. Five-star defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa is still undecided.
Eshoff: I’ll move further back into the defense and say linebacker. Akeem Ayers is the star of this defense, but the other linebackers ““ many of whom graduated ““ had trouble with consistent tackling and covering running backs on pass routes.
How significant of an impact will USC’s Ed Orgeron have on UCLA’s recruiting?
Mashhood: Does anybody even know what Ed Orgeron coaches? He’s a pure recruiter, but coming to Los Angeles this late in the game, I don’t know how big a difference he’ll make to Neuheisel’s batch of commits.
Eshoff: Thankfully for UCLA, there aren’t too many prospects that are on the fence between the two schools. The worry is that
Orgeron will be able to hold together ‘SC’s already strong class and combine it with his group from Tennessee.
How will UCLA’s recruiting class rank?
Mashhood: Let me think about it. … Nine. It’s way before the big day and Neuheisel tends to pull through when it comes to bringing in the big guns. This year may not be the best for UCLA, but they’ve got a healthy number of four-star recruits coming in.
Eshoff: They’re in the high twenties and I see it jumping up a few spots when signing day hits in a few weeks. UCLA’s program still has a lot of appeal to some of these late signees, and that could vault them into the nation’s top 15.