UCLA Rivals podcast info on mutual recruits
I'm a lifelong UCLA fan(but a Michigan MBA grad, so Michigan takes priority) and have also been driving long distances for work lately. As a result, I have been listening to the UCLA Scout and Rivals sites weekly podcast to help pass the time. Today's Rivals podcast had a lot of interesting information on some mutual targets that I thought I would relay here(podcast is free so I'm not revealing any paywalled stuff link: https://ucla.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1723625 ):
Chris Clark - Apparently had great visit to UCLA and loved the area, parents came down and liked it as well. Reporters felt that most of the pressure to go to Michigan was coming from Clark's parents and the OV went along way to removing that roadblock for UCLA. We'll see what happens, but I'm thinking UCLA is probably going to win out here.
Ty Wheatley Jr. - Wants to play Tight End first and UCLA recruiting him as a Defensive End only. USC is coming on strong telling him he can play Tight End and he is being recruited by USC's Tight End coach(Marques Tuiasosopo) who was on the Raiders the same time Ty Wheatley Sr. was, so there's a long-standing relationship there. All of this makes a lot of sense and I think USC wins this race(which is just awful).
Roquan Smith - The analysts seemed to think that if he was going to commit to Georgia, he would have done it already. They think he's looking for a reason to go elsewhere. While UCLA is getting him to visit this weekend, there is that relationship with Durkin to consider and I think really helps Michigan out.
In Summary, I think of the three mutual targets I think Michigan's best shot is with Roquan Smith. Also, it would be nice for Michigan to start winning again, so other analysts would take the Michigan threat more seriously. It's also really funny to hear Californians talk about the cold as if it's some strange terrible threat they can't imagine exposing themselves to. Frankly, it makes them sound like wimps and I sometimes wonder if the weather argument made in recruiting comes across like that.
January 27th, 2015 at 2:01 AM ^
Agreed. i could have gone to UCLA, but I actually preferred Michigan, weather and all. UCLA is great in a "vacation" sort of way, but it does not feel very college-y. I wanted that unique college experience. I knew I had the rest of my life to go on vacations.
January 27th, 2015 at 7:39 AM ^
But not in regards to player perspective. In terms of recruiting and over all program development, especially for UCLA, Mora and his staff have been killing it. USC doesn't fill up the Colliseum and their location is anything but a college town but they have never had a problem getting great HS talent to come and play there. UCLA under Mora is building something that players across the country are buying into. The UCLA fan base will continue to grow and show their enthusiasm.
January 27th, 2015 at 9:03 AM ^
Why isn't he coming here? He might go USC of all places?!