Look at it any way you want, but both Tony Jefferson and Kenny Stills committed to Oklahoma yesterday.  This is only news on this site because Jefferson used to be one of our top committed guys, who decommitted a few weeks back when he showed how stupid he really was by wearing USC gear to the UCLA/USC game.......while he was a Bruin commit.  I would have like to have had Stills, but I don't know if he was really ever serious about coming to UCLA.  They are both friends and I am sure this was in the works for weeks to go to the same school. 

On one front I am disappointed that Jefferson didn't go to South Central University because I would have liked to have had a chance to heckle him for the next four years and give some angry Bruins a chance for revenge.  However, it is always good when the "cheaters" don't get people they want, especially because they  think they are entitled to get whatever they want.

So now Jefferson and Stills get to go to Oklahoma and play in Norman.  I won't put down Norman cause it is a great college town, with alot of good people.  As far as college football goes, it is a great place to be.  There is not much else to be desired there........but hey, going from sunny San Diego to Norman shouldn't be much of a culture shock for them.

John Young, the powerful TE from Loyola HS announced his commitment tonight to our Bruins.  I gotta admit, at first I was a little confused on this signing.  While he has been rumored to be a silent commit for a while now, I was wondering if we really needed him.  I figured we were pretty much loaded at the position, considering we signed Pressley last year, and will have Fauria in game action next year.  Add Harkey and Chandler to that, and we have a great unit for next year.  Then after I thought about it, it makes perfect sense.  Young, who is 6'4 and about 245 is a monster.  He projects to being a very good blocking TE, but can also catch the ball.  I think he is sure to redshirt, at which time our TE's will be in the later part of their careers when he is a redshirt freshman and ready to learn from them.  He'll step in for his last three years ready to be a monster.  I could also see him maybe putting on more weight on his frame, which can surely handle it, and maybe becoming an offensive lineman if need be.  I have no idea, and I don't really care.

What I do know is that CRN is making great progress at signing talented and skilled football players.  It is up to him and his staff to plug them in where they belong, and I know that they surely know more than I do and will put them where they think is best for the program.  Like I have faith in CBH, I will throw my complete trust in CRN and Co. and believe in them.  It is only year #2 in the process, and I am incredibly happy with the way things are beginning to turn around.  The first part of the process is getting better players, they are doing that.  The next part is beginning to happen........playing better football.

Getting guys like Young, from such a great program as Loyola, speaks for itself.  Welcome to the Bruin family Mr. Young!!

Bumped. GO BRUINS. - N

Great News!!  Say what you will, but the talent coming into Westwood these past few years is much, much, much better than in the previous regime.  In fact, it isn't even close.  Just got done watching ESPNU, fully expecting Jordon James to commit to Cal because of our depth at the RB position, and especially with Jones from Oaks coming in too, but to my amazement, the young man picked our Bruins.  This guy can run the ball, and he has very good hands too.  He is the type of player we want in our program.  He is a playmaker who is very skilled.  The tailback position is loaded for years to come and the fact that James will come to compete against all the other guys we have says wonders about his commitment and the type of person that he is.  He isn't fazed at all, and I love that. 

CRN and the rest of his staff is putting together an incredible staff, and our talent level is increasing with every commitment we get.  The recruits can feel the love that CRN has for UCLA, and I hope that we are all patient enough to let him and his staff work their magic.  While it may not be as fast as we'd like, I am happy with the talent level being raised and having confidence in the direction of the program.

Welcome to Westwood Jordan.  We are very glad to have you!!

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I just saw that we got a commitment from Kody Innes, who is supposed to be a pretty good player out of Arizona.  I have to be honest, I pride myself on knowing more than the average joe on recruiting and good prospects, but I do not know enough about Innes to give an opinion.  I have never seen him play, nor do I know much about him.  Are their any Bruins in Arizona who can shed some light on him?  Any info. would be great.  I do know that it is always great to steal a prospect out of a Pac-10 state, so that is a positive.  Welcome to the Bruin family Kody.

Wow.  I was just watching ESPN and radio host Scott Van Pelt just ripped the NCAA for suspending Oklahoma State Wide Reciever Dez Bryant, who didn't break any NCAA rules, but lied to investigators because he thought he had.  Van Pelt implied that Bryant was suspended because he didn't go to a big enough school, but that Oklahoma State was just big enough for the NCAA to make an example out of them.  However, he ripped on the NCAA for not going after the real culprits in college sports, as he said "the big schools who have broken the rules, but are too big for the NCAA to discipline". 

HHHMMMM.  What school could that be?  Maybe USC?  I have never heard a TV/Radio host so vehemently call out the NCAA.  Usually they hide and don't comment cause they don't want put their employer,  in this case the WWL,  who is in partnership with the NCAA, at any risk.  This was refreshing.  He went on a 3-4 minute rant against the NCAA and basically called out all the big schools who have been caught cheating in the past few years, only to have the NCAA look the other way because they were TOO BIG to discipline and that it would hurt them in the pocketbook. 

If you have a chance to see it later, check it out.  He said "I won't name the schools cause we all know who they are".
Yep, we sure do!  As Van Pelt said "I guess it is worse to not cheat, lie about it because you thought you might have than to cheat and lie about it."  In the case of the NCAA, that is the message.  Dez Bryant gets suspended for the year, and didn't commit a violation.  Bush, Leinart, Jarrett, etc..........they all cheat, and nothing is done.  Incredible.

Congrats for Van Pelt for being the voice of reason, hopefully he doesn't lose his job because of it.

Since the state of our Bruins Football team is so bleak, I get my football kicks and love from watching former Bruins do well on Sundays.......and today was great.  I expect the great days from the MJD's of the world, but today was special, at least it was for me.  I was watching the Green Bay vs. Cleveland game (Directv and fantasy football collide) when out of nowhere Aaron Rodgers throws a pass to a speedy tight end who rumbles and outruns the secondary and dives for a touchdown!!  That was all fine and good until the announcer said "That's backup Tight End and Linebacker Spencer Havner". 

NFL Week 7 - Green Bay Packers vs Cleveland Browns 31-3 (via 555OO555)

I consider Havner one of the best Bruins ever to play in one of the worst Eras of UCLA football, the Karl Dorrell Era.  That may not be saying much but Havner was a great, yes great, Bruin who always gave his best on the field.  He was a true Bruin in every sense of the word.  He played hard and clean, but always with a small chip on his shoulder.  He wasn't a blue-chip recruit, but worked his ass off to become a contributor on Sunday afternoons for one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports. 

The first thing I did when he scored was to tell my 9-year old son that Havner is a "former Bruin".  I might be gushing too much, but on a day where I was extremely upset about the Bruins performance in Arizona, a reserve Tight End in Cleveland managed to put a little happiness in my Bruin Heart!  Way to go Spencer!!!

Bumped. Wanted to make sure this big news from the weekend didn't get buried. Getting a 4 star OL recruit such as Ward is a huge deal.It was especially significant given the commitment followed Malcolm Jones from earlier last week as UCLA nabbed two blue chippers from regal programs such as OC and Mater Dei. Bruins now have 10 total commitments. Of course we are not anywhere close to being done. GO BRUINS. - N

Well, a little good news for everyone as we try to salvage a poor weekend.  Mater Dei star lineman Chris Ward committed to our Bruins, giving us a great week in recruiting. 

I know that some won't be happy because the results on the field are what matters.  However, on the offensive side of the ball we are incredibly young.  Our top two QB's are freshman.  Our top 3 running backs (I don't count Ramirez) are two freshman and a soph.  Our three best offensive lineman (Hasiak, Sua, and Baca) are two freshman and a soph.  Our top wide receivers, besides Austin, are all sophs, with a great group of freshman making there way.  This is the youngest UCLA team in many years, and the mistakes they are making are normal for a group so young. 

With that in mind, those kids will be all grown up next year and the influx of talent that is coming into the program is very important.  Getting guys like Ward, Jones, and the others will only make things better.  While I love many of the guys in the program, the facts are that we are young, and the older players just aren't very talented, except for a few.  This team is built for next year, as much as I hate to say it. 

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Though it was worth a second bump to highlight BruinGold82's find below. GO BRUINS. - N

Alright everyone.  UCLA just got a huge commit from one of the top players in the country.  Tony Jefferson, from Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, made it official......and this is great news.  The guys is a flat-out stud! 

According to Rivals he is the #50 prospect overall in the country.  A four-star pick.  He had offers already from U$C, Florida, and Georgia.....but he picked the Bruins.  I really hope we can hold on to this guy through the process as people will be coming hard for him until he signs his name on the dotted line. 

He played outside linebacker in HS, but he is projected as a safety.  By the time he comes in, R. Moore will be a star and probably a year away from  moving to the NFL, so this guy will come in, compete, and be ready to shine for 3-4 years.

Rumor is also that Jefferson was locked and a silent verbal to U$C, but became unhappy with the coaching staff and called CRN to become a Bruin.  You gotta love it.  This guy is blue and gold the whole way.  Still a year away from becoming a Bruin, and he is already sticking it to the cheaters across town.  This is a big deal, that other 4-5 star recruits will take notice of.  CRN and staff are awesome!

UPDATE (N): Just days ago Jefferson dropped U$C*.  More details after the jump.

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I just thought I would see if we are getting a good contingent going to the Tennessee game.  While I know the numbers probably won't be large, I was just curious if there were alot of people from BN going to Knoxville.  I thought it would be cool to see if alot of people were, and if they were, what there plans are for the trip.  As for me, I am making the trip, but will be flying into Atlanta.  I am going to try and get the most "bang for my buck" by making flying into Atlanta, making the three hour drive to Knoxville for the game, and then head back to Atlanta to watch the Falcons vs. Dolphins game at the Georgia Dome before coming home.  A football weekend to be sure.  I have no rooting interest in the NFL game, it is more just to say I did it.  I would love to hear if any of you are making the trip, and if you will be taking in any of the Bruins festivities while in Knoxville.

I think we just got a huge get because it is in such an area of need.   We just got a commitment from former Birmingham standout Marquis Jackson, who played last year at COC (College of the Canyons).  This guy was flat-out a stud in HS and he had alot of attention coming out of HS.  However,  he must not have had the grades, cause he went the JC route and he had Pac-10 potential and offers.  He is 6'4 and real quick for a D-Lineman.  I saw him play once, and was stunned at how good he was.  He seems to have figured it out in the classroom and if he has, we should get three great years from him.  He has the body, the game, and the motor, to play on Sundays.  I don't say that everyday.  Now it seems, he has the grades which will get him into a school so that he can work his way towards that.  He is a 4-star prospect, according to several services, and so he isn't a secret.  If I remember right, and I could be wrong, but U$C wanted him pretty badly when he was coming out of HS........but I could be wrong.  Anyways, great job by CRN and Co.  This is great news as we build a solid DL!