UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is joining the Atlanta Falcons as linebacker coach, according to NFL Network’s Albert Breer. With Ulbrich leaving UCLA at this time, it throws the status of four-star linebacker recruit Roquan Smith into real doubt. Smith publicly announced he was signing with the Bruins on Wednesday morning, but withheld his letter of intent after he found out Ulbrich, his primary recruiter, might be leaving.
UCLA DC Jeff Ulbrich reportedly leaving for Falcons, so what about Roquan Smith?
The apparent sudden loss of the Bruins defensive coordinator throws the status of a blue chip linebacker into doubt.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA head coach Jim Mora says the Bruins will fight “tooth and nail” to keep Ulbrich.
The first people to get into Smith’s ear about Ulbrich leaving UCLA was, opportunistically enough, Georgia coaches, according to the AJC’s Mike Carvell. The Dawgs were finalists for Smith before he first chose UCLA, and Smith is now reportedly going to take a few days to figure out what he wants to do. His four finalists were UCLA, Georgia, Michigan and Texas A&M, and apparently all four are still in the picture.
Both UCLA and Georgia have top 10 classes, according to the 247 Composite rankings, but the Bruins losing Smith so shortly after they thought they had him would take a little bit of the shine off their outstanding 2015 class.
