Football welcomes small recruiting class
By David Woods
Feb. 7, 2007 10:32 p.m.
On the biggest day of the offseason for college football programs, UCLA was able to ink 10 recruits for the 2007 season.
While the class is small, it is highly regarded by most recruiting services, including a five-star defensive tackle in Brian Price as well as four-star running back Raymond Carter and four-star linebacker/defensive end Akeem Ayers.
Coach Karl Dorrell, for one, is pleased with the recruiting haul.
“We knew that this was going to be a small class for us,” Dorrell said. “We landed the guys we wanted to at the very beginning.
“We’re proud of our recruiting. This class has been our best class since I’ve been here.”
Of the recruits, some are expected to compete for playing time immediately. Carter, who was injured for parts of his final high school season, could see the field as a third option at running back. Price is physically ready, but may need work on his technique.
The Bruins also signed tight end Nate Chandler, linebacker Steve Sloan, defensive end Justin Edison, quarterback Chris Forcier, offensive lineman Mike Harris, safety Glenn Love and cornerback Courtney Viney.
UCLA had a very limited number of scholarships this year because the team lost very few seniors.
Dorrell has high hopes for this class, referring to Carter as having “potential to be an every-down back” and saying that Ayers could be a “future Bruce Davis.” Davis will be a senior defensive end this year. He tied for the team lead in sacks last season with Justin Hickman.
Forcier is not a typical West Coast offense quarterback because he is mobile and not terribly accurate. Dorrell said it was necessary to get a mobile quarterback.
“He runs very well,” Dorrell said. “That’s kind of the future. You have to have a mobile quarterback.”
Safety Chris Conte, who had reneged on his verbal commitment to Cal and switched to UCLA, flip-flopped again on signing day, heading back to Cal. Dorrell said it was just one of those things that tends to happen on signing day.
“It’s always a surprise, but that happens in recruiting,” Dorrell said. “We found out this morning that he went back to his original school.”
Overall, Dorrell is more than pleased with the new additions to the team.
“I’m really happy with what we were able to accomplish with such limited numbers,” he said.
