UCLA garners 2 top football recruits

The large void left by departing All-American tight end Marcedes
Lewis was filled slightly on Sunday when highly rated tight end
Nate Chandler verbally committed to the Bruins. Chandler, a
6-foot-5, 225-pound all-state selection from Mira Mesa, joins four
other future Bruins who have already committed as part of the 2007
recruiting class. Chandler chose the Bruins over crosstown rival
USC. “The school, the location, the coaches, the coaching
staff, the way they treat their players ““ those were huge
factors for me,” Chandler told Scout.com. “USC
doesn’t use their tight ends that much and I don’t
really fit in that much in the area that they’re in. I
didn’t feel comfortable there. At UCLA, I just knew I’d
be best there.” Chandler’s decision comes on the heels
of one of another top recruit from the San Diego area. Quarterback
Chris Forcier also verbally committed to the Bruins. Forcier and
Chandler both played together on all-star teams, but, surprisingly,
Chandler started playing organized football in his sophomore year
of high school.

FORMER BRUIN COMPETES IN BOSTON MARATHON: UCLA great Meb
Keflezighi finished third in the Boston Marathon on Monday. Five
American men finished in the top 10 at the 110th Boston Marathon.
Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won his second Boston title with a
course-record time of 2:07:14. Keflezighi ran with the leaders from
the start. He had come through the half marathon in 1:02:45.
“I know I ran well today, but it wasn’t my best,”
Keflezighi said. “Hopefully I’ll get a chance to come
back. The first time (at Boston) is a challenge and you get a
feeling for it, but I’m excited about next time.” LOVE
AND SINGLER IN VEGAS: Highly recruited juniors Kevin Love and Kyle
Singler of Oregon competed in the basketball’s Las Vegas
Easter Classic this past weekend. Love, who has listed UCLA among
his final two choices, played for the So Cal All Stars while
Singler competed for the Portland Elite Legends. The two played in
front of a handful of coaches as the Easter Classic was the
beginning of the college recruiting period in which coaches could
attend tournaments. In attendance for the Bruins were head coach
Ben Howland and assistant coach Kerry Keating. Also in the stands
were Bruins Arron Afflalo, Cedric Bozeman and Ryan Hollins. Other
top recruits competing in the tournament were small forward Chace
Stanback of Fairfax High School and power forward Darnell Gant of
Crenshaw High School. Both are being recruited by UCLA.

Compiled by Sagar Parikh, Bruin Sports senior
staff.