NFLNBANHLMLBWNBARoland-GarrosSoccer
Featured Video
Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

UCLA Football: Bruins' Top Remaining Recruiting Targets for NSD 2015

Kyle KensingJan 12, 2015

With a 2015 recruiting class currently ranked second in the Pac-12 and No. 15 in the nation, there is cause for UCLA football to celebrate on next month's national signing day. 

However, head coach Jim Mora and his staff cannot rest on the program's current success, whether it be a program-record three consecutive nine-win seasons or four straight recruiting classes ranked in the national top 20. 

The Bruins can make a strong push for the best recruiting class in the conference if Mora can land commitments from some of the top remaining targets still available on the trail. 

4-Star Cornerback DeChaun Holiday

1 of 5
DeChaun Holiday (Credit: 247Sports)
DeChaun Holiday (Credit: 247Sports)

UCLA has been in the mix for DeChaun Holiday for quite some time, and its investment in the 4-star cornerback could pay off. 

The Bruins are one of the favorites to land Holiday, though they must win a fierce recruiting competition with Pac-12 counterpart Arizona State. 

Holiday is visiting Todd Graham's program in Tempe, Arizona, this week. 

At 6'3" and just under 200 pounds, Holiday is a talent in the mold of NFL star Richard Sherman. He can counter bigger wide receivers and pass-catching tight ends but also boasts the speed necessary to contain the smaller, quicker targets prevalent in the Pac-12. 

5-Star Running Back Soso Jamabo

2 of 5
Soso Jamabo (Credit: 247Sports)
Soso Jamabo (Credit: 247Sports)

A commitment from running back Soso Jamabo would give UCLA its third 5-star recruit in this year's class.

Of greater significance, however, is that Jamabo is the kind of power-rushing option the Bruins' offense has had to turn to its defense to employ in recent years. 

Jamabo participated in this month's Under Armour All-American Game, and while his performance was quiet, Notre Dame made noise with its pursuit of his letter of intent. 

"

Top-rated RB Soso Jamabo in action. #UAALLAMERICA pic.twitter.com/AsGT7pdkxR

— RecruitingNation (@ESPNRNFball) January 2, 2015"

Tom Loy reports for 247Sports that Jamabo's choice is down to either the Fighting Irish or Bruins.  

4-Star Wide Receiver Carlos Strickland

3 of 5
Carlos Strickland (Credit: 247Sports)
Carlos Strickland (Credit: 247Sports)

 Texas Tech's loss could be UCLA's gain.

"

Breaking news, 4* all american Wr Carlos Strickland has de-committed from Texas Tech, he will re-evaluate schools & commit on Jan 27th

— Skyline Football (@SKYLINErecruit) January 9, 2015"

Four-star wide receiver Carlos Strickland decommitted from Texas Tech over the weekend, opening the possibility for UCLA to snag the 6'5" product of Dallas prep powerhouse Skyline High School. 

Texas has been a key state in Mora's recruiting blueprint since arriving at UCLA in 2012, and especially so in the past two years. Securing a commitment from Strickland is another blue-and-gold flag planted in a crucial battleground state. 

More importantly though, Strickland could be a nice fit in the UCLA offense, much in the same vein as current Bruin wide receiver Thomas Duarte. 247Sports gives Strickland high marks for his size and ability to generate yards after the catch—two qualities that made Duarte UCLA's No. 2 pass-catcher in 2014. 

Strickland paid an official visit to UCLA in October. 

TOP NEWS

Ohio State Team Doctor
2026 Florida Spring Football Game
College Football Playoff National Championship: Head Coaches News Conference

4-Star Offensive Guard Semisi Uluave

4 of 5
Semisi Uluave (Credit: 247Sports)
Semisi Uluave (Credit: 247Sports)

One area in which a first-year player could make an immediate impact for UCLA is on the offensive line. Four-star guard Semisi Uluave might just be the addition the Bruins need to make a splash up front. 

Uluave is slated for an official visit to UCLA on the weekend of Jan. 23, with his announcement planned for national signing day, per Andrew Nemec of The Oregonian

UCLA is in the hunt alongside Pac-12 rival Oregon. Uluave told Nemec that watching the Ducks' pursue a national championship has him ready to contribute to a title-contending team:

"

You see all the success that they are having and you want to be a part of success, but I feel like with the success they are having now all credit goes to those guys. ... When I see it, I'm happy for them and all their success, but they are doing that without me. I want to be able to, if I'm on that team, give as much as all of them are giving to make it that far as well.

"

Perhaps Uluave is a missing piece the Bruins need to make their own championship push. 

4-Star Offensive Guard Josh Wariboko

5 of 5
Josh Wariboko (Credit: 247Sports)
Josh Wariboko (Credit: 247Sports)

Josh Wariboko, a 4-star guard from the heart of Big 12 Country (Oklahoma City), was among the high-profile recruits who visited UCLA the weekend of Nov. 21. 

That was a good time for the Bruins to put on a show for any future teammates. UCLA routed rival USC on Nov. 22, 38-20, to secure the rivalry's Victory Bell for a third straight season. 

UCLA landed a commitment from 5-star defensive end Keisean Lucier-South that weekend. A commitment from Wariboko on the opposite side of the line would only make a great weekend in UCLA football history that much better. 

At nearly 6'4" and 315 pounds, Wariboko is built to step into the Bruins' rotation immediately. He's also skilled, earning a score of eight for his run- and pass-blocking from 247Sports, as well as for his punch and strength. 

Recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.com composite scores. 

Mitchell Headed to 1st Conference Finals 🔥

TOP NEWS

Ohio State Team Doctor
2026 Florida Spring Football Game
College Football Playoff National Championship: Head Coaches News Conference
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 01 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Ole Miss vs Georgia

TRENDING ON B/R