Answers, Part IX

Will UCLA continue to pursue Cierre Wood despite his recent commit to ND? And do you feel that they will be able to get some OL talent in 2009 class?
I don’t know about Wood. I’m sure if Wood lets it be known he is still interested in being recruited, UCLA will get in contact with him. As for the offensive line, that is the biggest part of UCLA’s recruiting effort for 2009.

Embree has received positive comments for his performance during the spring practices? Would you consider him to be the surprise performer of the spring? Are there any other players who have emerged out of the shadows this spring?
No, I wouldn’t consider him to be THE surprise performer this spring. When it comes down to it, I think he will red-shirt. As for any other players, not really because the only changes on the depth chart are related to injuries.

in your five years covering the football team, is the least talented group of players you've observed? (I'm not counting the incoming freshman class in this observation)
Yes, and I do not think it is even close.

In the depth chart, there are two who I believe haven't played before: Culver at safety and Schmitt at outside linebacker. Can you tell us anything about their potential contributions this year?
Culver is a walk-on who will not be counted on to play. Once the freshman class comes in, he will be pushed back on the depth chart. Schmitt is a JUCO transfer who did not play last season. I think he will get some time in a backup role this season.

Why is the talent on the offensive line so depleted this year? Was the problem a lack of quantity or poor class spacing in recruiting (poor planning), a lack of quantity (poor talent evaluation) or both?
The quantity wasn’t the issue, but you are on the money with the other things. Plus, many of these kids were recruited for Tom Cable’s finesse style of blocking, then were asked to be power blockers.

What is the strategy of the coaching staff in terms of recruiting? When do they plan to have most of the recruits commit? What are their positional priorities for this year?
I think they would like most of their recruits to commit. Why else would UCLA recruit those players? As for priorities, offensive and defensive line are at the top of the list.

Do you know what Rick Neuhiesal's take is on offering speical teams players (Kicker, punter, long snapper). I know Dorrel was a big advocate of offering these players and as a result UCLA speical teams has been a succes (the kicking games) in recent years. Will Rick offer them as well?
I don’t know at this point, and it could be a while before we see it play out since Kai Forbath is a sophomore, long-snapper Christian Yount is a sophomore and punter/place kicker Jeff Locke is an incoming freshman.