The UCLA Bruins are off to a bit of a slow start with the 2014 recruiting class. After bringing in a lot of talent under Jim Mora the past two years, it seems some recruits are holding off on the Bruins as they weigh all their options.
UCLA football recruiting 2013: Bruins starting to reel in commitments
UCLA has some work to do if they hope to catch up to a few other Pac-12 schools in the team rankings.
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UCLA’s current class of 10 players is ranked 52nd in the nation, according to 24/7Sports’ composite team rankings. That’s good for sixth in the Pac-12 behind the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford and Washington State. The Cardinal are currently ranked highest at No. 19, while the Wildcats are right behind them at No. 21.
The addition of three high-profile recruits in the last month or so have helped get the Bruins going. On Oct. 13, Alex Van Dyke, a three-star wide receiver out of Cosumnes Oaks (Calif.) High School, gave his pledge. Dyke has some size on the outside at 6’4 and 205 pounds, which should make him an excellent red-zone target for whoever is quarterback once he arrives in L.A.
During the first week of September, UCLA added two cornerbacks from Southern California. Adarius Pickett is regarded as a four-star prospect and the best player currently committed for 2014. 24/7Sports has him as a top-200 player and the 12th-best corner in his class. Denzel Fisher, a three-star talent, was the other cornerback to commit. He received offers from quite a few other Pac-12 programs, including USC and Washington State. At just 165 pounds right now, Fisher will need to bulk up in the weight room if he hopes to contribute early in his career.
Outside of Pickett and Fisher, two wide receivers are regarded as the gems of the class. Barry Ware, a four-star prospect out of Corona, California, committed to his hometown Bruins back in March, making him the first 2014 prospect to do so. Austin Roberts is also a four-star receiver, though he hails from Indiana. At 6’2 and 211 pounds, he has the size and speed to be a deep-threat option for UCLA down the road.
