Three-star defensive tackle Semi Taulanga was one of two Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei players at UCLA for an official visit this past weekend.

In a phone conversation Tuesday evening, Taulanga told Bruin Blitz that the coaching staff pointed out his potential in ways he had yet to hear.

“I never thought I could see myself in the position that they could see me, so I really liked where they would fit me in with the program,” Taulanga said of his conversations with Bruins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe and defensive line/outside linebackers coach Tony Washington Jr.