June 18, 2012

Edward Lewis
BruinSportsReport.com Publisher

Brandon: What's the deal with Nico Falah? I've heard UCLA and USC are the choices, but where do you think he's ending up?

If you had asked me this three weeks ago, or even a week ago, I would have said 100 percent UCLA. Adrian Klemm has done an absolutely masterful job of recruiting the four-star offensive lineman, and Falah has said Klemm is one of, if not the favorite coach that is recruiting him right now.

But with that being said, USC has made a huge jump in his recruitment this month. The Trojans landing all kinds of top 100 talent these past few weeks really opened his eyes, and apparently USC has been putting a full-court press on him lately as well. It appears the Trojans have caught up to UCLA in his recruitment, and might even take the lead here.

He said on his Twitter account that he knows where he's going to commit to, so a pledge is likely coming soon. We'll all find out here shortly if that will be UCLA or USC.

Juanfrombz: What is the deal with the whispers that we have been neglecting recruits at WR? It also seems like we may be doing that with RB, too.

All of this really started with Sebastian Larue. The four-star receiver had UCLA as his No. 1 California option just two months ago, but then suddenly dropped the Bruins from his favorites list just a few weeks ago. When asked why, he said it was because UCLA just sort of stopped talking to him for a while.

Then you had the Steven Mitchell commitment to USC, the Francis Owusu pledge to Stanford, the rumors that Ryan Jenkins will be Clemson-bound, X'avier Shepherd moving UCLA down in his favorite list, and then the nail in the coffin was Inoke Lotulelei's probable decommitment. So things really aren't going well in terms of wide receiver recruiting right now.

As for why it's happening, I wish I had the answer to give you. Most are blaming Eric Yarber and his transition from the NFL back to college recruiter, which is probably part of the problem. But UCLA's uncertainty at quarterback, brand new offense and lack of winning in recent years hasn't helped matters. Like I've said all along, however, they're in good shape with John Ross and Thomas Duarte, and I think they still have a solid shot with Julius Wilson. Plus, if they start winning and really show off their new offense, I think you could see the tide turn here in the fall as well.

As for running backs, I don't think RB is a high-priority for the Bruins in this class, especially with Keyante Green already committed. And quite frankly, outside of a couple players, I don't think the talent at that position out here in California is all that great either.

Bruin1957: What is the real deal with Pierre Cormier in San Diego? We were the flavor of the month then his comments were a bit odd recently and for the most part dumped us. Did we do something wrong? Who handles his recruitment?

From what we heard and what he told us, he apparently just didn't feel "it" at UCLA. He liked the Westwood visits that he went on, but just had a better feeling about other schools - namely Boise State.

I also get the feeling that this might have been a bit of a two-way street. I think the Bruins and his main recruiter Marques Tuiasosopo cooled on him a little as well. I know there's some concern in the Division I level about his frame. Still, I think he fits the mold of a Noel Mazzone back and I still think they'd eventually take him if he changes his mind down the road.

Dan: With the way football recruiting is starting to shape up with all the recent commitments, who should some of the top priorities be now?

This answer has to start with the obvious guys: Falah, Larue, Tahaan Goodman, Priest Willis, L.J. Moore, Hatari Byrd, Khaliel Rodgers, Christian Morris and Scott Quessenberry.

But two guys who I don't think are getting nearly enough run as top-flight recruits are the Robinson twins down in San Diego. Maybe it's because they've flip-flopped so much on what they want out of a school, football- and basketball-wise, but those two are some of the top recruits in the country. Watching Tyree play corner with how physical and athletic he is should make defensive coordinators salivate. And seeing film of Tyrell in pass-rushing situations in pads is also fun to watch. Both should be heavy, heavy priorities for any school - not just UCLA.

I also think if Falah ends up choosing USC, Sean Harlow becomes a high priority as well. There's no guarantee that Rodgers or Morris is really ready to move out here to Los Angeles from their respective states, so it makes locking down a high-major local recruit like Harlow that much more necessary.

Of course, it's June 18. Signing day is so far away it's scary to even think about. A lot of these commitments mentioned in this article will flip once or twice by the time all is said and done. The Bruins just have to keep getting after it.