UCLA Football Recruiting: Biggest Early Needs for Class of 2016

On the heels of finishing the 2015 recruiting cycle with an exceptionally strong class, head coach Jim Mora and the UCLA football program are yet again revving up their efforts for the 2016 class. 

There are four specific areas within the roster expected to be addressed during this recruiting cycle. At three of the positions, UCLA will experience attrition via graduation and probable defections to the NFL. 

The fourth unit will literally have only walk-on talent at the position by the time the 2016 season begins. 

This piece will speak about the potential personnel losses—as well as list targets for the 2016 class. 

Defensive Line

UCLA faces a potentially precarious situation after the 2015 season.

Starting junior defensive linemen Kenny Clark and Eddie Vanderdoes could both opt to leave for the NFL at the conclusion of this upcoming season. 

Depth behind the aforementioned duo isn't great. Eli Ankou is the only reserve defensive tackle with any sort of experience. Ainuu Taua has yet to play at the collegiate level, and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner is still a bit undersized.

UCLA has to account for the possible defections of Clark and Vanderdoes in this class. 4-star prospect Boss Tagaloa out of the famed De La Salle High School would be a good start. He's arguably the most important recruit for the Bruins in the 2016 class from a positional need. 

Potential Targets:

Breland Brandt (committed)

Boss Tagaloa

Bryson Young

Oluwole Betiku 

Maxs Tupai

Osa Odighizuwa

Garrett Rand

Connor Murphy 

Hunter Kampmoyer

Wide Receiver

Each of Jordan Payton, Devin Fuller and Devin Lucien will graduate after the 2015 season. 

With three of its top receivers moving on, there's going to be an emphasis upon UCLA signing multiple receivers in this class. Fortunately for the Bruins, the 2016 wide receiver class in the state of California is exceptionally good. 

UCLA already has a commitment from elite athlete Michael Pittman. There are questions as to where he'll eventually end up from a position standpoint, but he's got great size at 6'4". 

The loss of Ryan Newsome on signing day enhances the need for quicker, faster options. Damian Alloway and Jack Jones are two in particular with the ability to fit the bill. Theo Howard is a local product with terrific hands and route-running ability.

Potential Targets:

Michael Pittman (committed)

Theo Howard

Damian Alloway

N'Keal Harry

Darian Owens

Jack Jones 

David Long

Linebacker

Much like the wide receiver position, the 2016 linebacker crop in California is absolutely loaded. 

UCLA needs to continue to build depth across the board at both middle linebacker and on the outside, especially considering that it would be an absolute shock to see Myles Jack come back for a senior season. 

With the expected 3-4 scheme employed by new defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, UCLA will likely target long and athletic players with good positional versatility. 

Players fitting the description include Caleb Kelly, LaMar Winston and Curtis Robinson. Interestingly enough, Robinson's mother is a Spanish professor at UCLA. 

Potential Targets:

Caleb Kelly

Curtis Robinson

Lokeni Toailoa

Camilo Eifler

LaMar Winston

Blake Walls 

Special Teams

Starting kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn and starting punter Matt Mengel will both exhaust their respective eligibilities after the 2015 season. 

With no other scholarship kickers or punters on the current roster, UCLA needs to address both positions within this class. 

Kicker JJ Molson out of Montreal is rated as the top kicker in the nation by the Chris Sailer Kicking academy. He visited the UCLA campus this past week and will likely be a top target going forward. Interestingly enough, Sailer was a former kicker at UCLA. This connection could bode well for the Bruins. 

Aside from Molson, expect other kicking and punting options to pop up as it gets closer to the summer. 

Potential Target: 

JJ Molson