Bruins dial Erik Ainge

One of UCLA’s biggest needs this recruiting season is landing a stellar signal caller who will be able to over the quarterbacking chores once Moore and Olson graduate. There is one player that the Bruins have some interest to but haven’t offered as of yet. This quarterback is enjoying an outstanding season. In five games this quarterback has already thrown for 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns. The field general in question is Erik Ainge (6-6, 200, 4.6) from Hillsboro (Ore.) Glencoe.

Bruin fans remember the results the last time UCLA ventured north to Oregon to land a quarterback prospect, don’t you?

Ainge has heard from every Pac10 team including UCLA since September 1st and a lot of out of conference schools has contacted him, including national power Tennessee. The Vols are now very much in the mix for Ainge’s services.

Ainge’s most recent offers have come from in-state Oregon and Tennessee. He already had offers on the table from Oregon State, ASU and Arizona.

“I haven’t where I’m going to visit,” Ainge said. “I do know that I will start my visits after the season is over.”

“I’m going to visit schools that have shown a deep interest in me or have offered,” Ainge said.

“Tennessee told me that they are going to recruit two quarterbacks like they did with Peyton Manning and Casey Clausen,” Ainge said. “Whoever wins the job like Peyton and Clausen did will be a four year starter. Tennessee has told me I’m their number one quarterback recruit. I will probably visit Tennessee.”

“Oregon, Oregon State and Arizona State could also get visits,” Ainge said. “They are Pac10 schools and the Pac10 is the best conference for quarterbacks.”

“If UCLA, Cal and Washington were to offer me a scholarship things could change.”

Ainge’s athletic bloodlines go back two generations. His grandfather Don Ainge received a full ride to Oregon for both football and basketball. His father Doug Ainge received a full scholie to BYU for his basketball skills.

Of course everyone knows who is uncle is. His uncle for the uninitiated is Danny Ainge. Danny Ainge was College Player of the Year in basketball when he attended BYU. He also had a very successful 14-year career in the NBA and played three full seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rivals.com rates Ainge as 13 drop-back quarterback in the nation, Rivals.com rated Ainge as the state of Oregon’s number two prospect at any position and he landed as at number 37 on Rivals.com’s Super West 60.

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