UCLA Football: Week 12 Recruiting Update
The No. 17 UCLA Bruins (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) are riding high right now. There is an inordinate amount of momentum within the program, and that type of excitement is translating onto the recruiting trails.
To be honest, the university has always had appeal—whether it be via academics, location or any other characteristics one would want to use. A major problem recently for the Bruins has been winning football games on a consistent basis.
Right now, the Bruins are sitting within one win of a return to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
According to multiple recruiting services (ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com), the Bruins rank in the Top 20 nationally in regards to recruiting.
Let's take a look at the current recruiting musings for the UCLA Bruins.
Latest Commitment: WR Ammon Barker
1 of 6UCLA's most recent commit comes in the form of wide receiver Ammon Barker.
The Sandy, Utah native went somewhat under the radar throughout the recruiting process after a so-so junior season.
Barker parlayed a strong senior campaign into interest from throughout the Pac-12, and thus received an offer from Utah before committing shortly after to the Bruins.
Barker stands at 6'4" and 210 pounds. With 2012 signee Javon Williams not making it into school, and with the impending graduation of Jerry Johnson, the Bruins will enter next year without a "big receiver."
The recent pledge could fill that role, or even could grow into a tight end with added weight.
Positions of Need Remaining
2 of 6The two most pressing needs remaining for the 2013 UCLA recruiting class include help at wide receiver and in the secondary.
In terms of remaining wide outs, the top target at this point is Phoenix, Ariz. WR Devon Allen.
Allen has already visited UCLA officially, and seems to be liking the Bruins a lot. One aspect helping the Bruins with the 4-star receiver is that UCLA has hired Olympian Maurice Greene as a track coach.
Allen has legitimate aspirations of himself becoming an Olympian one day, so this could give the Bruins a leg up on the competition.
Other main targets currently include Thomas Duarte, John Ross, Joshua Taylor and Darren Andrews. Andrews—a Duke commit—was just recently offered by the Bruins. Interestingly enough, he is a relative to UCLA wide receivers coach Eric Yarber.
As for the secondary, it's imperative that UCLA brings in multiple athletes that can play right away.
Starters Aaron Hester, Sheldon Price and Andrew Abbott will all depart after this year, and there's a lack of overall depth and experience returning.
Jim Mora would love to bring in a quartet of Priest Willis, Tahaan Goodman, Johnny Johnson and Tyler Foreman.
It looks like a UCLA-USC battle for Goodman at this point.
In regards to Johnson, Stanford will be UCLA's main competition.
Foreman is a local prospect from the same high school that produced current Bruins Joe Fauria and Kevin Prince.
Willis is most likely the top target for UCLA, and has a good chance to start right away if he were to come to Westwood.
Another potential corner back prospect that has eyes for UCLA is Patrick Enewally.
Two Big Targets Remain on the OL
3 of 6The Bruins have six offensive linemen currently committed. That's quite a haul in terms of numbers, but offensive line Adrian Klemm is still in search of a two names.
The two desired prospects?
Klemm desperately wants to increase both the talent level and depth currently on the offensive line.
The Bruins currently start a red-shirt freshman at center, and two true freshmen at the tackle positions. In other words, he's not shy about plugging in young linemen right away.
Munger is a native of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Many programs are recruiting Munger to play defensive tackle, but Klemm prefers him at guard.
He's physical at the line of scrimmage, and has great feet from a lateral mobility standpoint.
It will be hard to get Munger away from Big Ten country, but he is slated to visit officially for this weekend's tilt against Southern Cal.
Benenoch might be even tougher to land.
He's wanted immensely by Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M. Klemm has built quite a positive accord with Benenoch—who will visit at some point.
The 6'5" and 320 pounds guard is absolutely massive, and has the potential to play right away.
In terms of holding onto current commits, UCLA needs to be wary of Memphis lineman Christian Morris.
Perhaps the best committed linemen, Morris has visited Nebraska officially, and is also considering Ole Miss, Georgia and Oklahoma.
Distance could ultimately prove to be a big factor here.
Morris and high school teammate Bobby Billinglsey will visit UCLA officially this weekend for the USC game.
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The USC Game Will Have Tons of National Names
4 of 6This weekend's game between No. 17 UCLA and No. 18 USC will have significant ramifications for the first time in years.
The Bruins haven't been ranked higher than the Trojans this late into the season since 2001.
There's no question that the buzz is surrounding UCLA's program right now, and that this game could be the official "closing the gap" that former head coach Rick Neuheisel alluded to during his tenure.
The winner of this game will determine who represents the South Division in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Many people are predicting UCLA to best Southern Cal in this contest, including former Southern Cal tailback and noted media personality Petros Papadakis.
The complete list of visitors for this weekend's game will surely include many out of state prospects.
A comprehensive list isn't fully available up to this point, but here's a list of confirmed visitors...
Ammon Barker
Johnny Johnson
Priest Willis
Tahaan Goodman
We will update the list throughout the week as it becomes public.
Remaining Targets
5 of 6Here's a list of remaining and viable targets for UCLA...
Caleb Benenoch
Donovan Munger
Priest Willis
Johnny Johnson
Patrick Enewally
Tyler Foreman
John Ross
Devon Allen
Thomas Duarte
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