HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- It’s been nine days since 2024 four-star offensive tackle Justin Tauanuu’s official visit to UCLA, but one thing that continues to resonate is he left feeling welcomed and like a priority by the coaching staff.

“It went really well,” Tauanuu told Bruin Blitz after his Huntington Beach High team completed a college showcase in front of coaches from Alabama, Oregon State and San Diego State. “They made me feel like they really wanted me there.”

Bruins offensive line coach Tim Drevno has been involved since very early in the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder’s recruitment. In addition, head coach Chip Kelly visited the high school in mid-January and came away impressed enough to offer a scholarship.

The current Bruins provided insight on Drevno’s coaching style to Tauanuu when he made it out practice in the final week of spring camp.

“He can coach heart to heart,” he was told.

With more than a dozen offers, including most of the Pac-12 Conference, Tauanuu’s list has a heavy West Coast feel in addition to others from Tennessee and Texas.

Two schools, UCLA and USC, will be leaving for the Big Ten in August 2024 and the move is appealing to Tauanuu.

“It does interest me,” Tauanuu said. “(The Big Ten has) a bigger platform compared to only being on the West Coast in the Pac-12. A lot of the East Coast and the whole country can watch UCLA and SC games without it being super late at night.”

It’s those rival Trojans who will likely be the biggest obstacle in the Bruins’ way. Tauanuu said that while he did not have an allegiance to one or the other while growing up, his entire family and friends of the family grew up as USC fans.

So, when a scholarship offer from USC came the day before his UCLA official, it was clear where those closest to him stood.

“Oh, they want me to go (to USC),” said Tauanuu, who is eyeing an official visit in June.

Still, he said, the plan is to be patient with the process “and weigh all my options.”

“I have so many options, which I’m blessed with,” Tauanuu said.

“My three things is their education has to be really good. The culture of the team is the second one. My last one is how they will develop me as a person and as a player.”