UCLA Football: Coach Jim Mora Puts Finishing Touch On Monster Recruiting Class
The balance of power is shifting in Southern California…
From UCLA:
Twenty-five outstanding high school seniors have signed letters-of-intent and/ or grants-in-aid to play football at UCLA, Bruin head coachJim Mora announced today. In addition, the class also includes a junior college transfer, one who signed in December and will attend school in the spring. Fifteen of the players attended school in the state of California, two-each in the states of Texas, Georgia and Arizona, and one from the states of Delaware, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey and Florida.
The class is ranked No. 11 nationally by Scout.com, No. 19 by ESPN and No. 12 by Rivals.com.
“We are confident that we have recruited a class of young men that will represent UCLA well, both on and off the field,” said coach Mora.
Ten of the new Bruins earned All-America honors from at least one publication. Defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy was a first-team USA Today All-America selection. McCarthy was also named to the Tom Lemming and SuperPrep All-America lists. Also on the Lemming list were QB Devin Fuller, DB Ishmael Adams, WR Jordan Payton and WR Javon Williams. Also appearing on the SuperPrep All-America list are McCarthy, Fuller, Payton, Adams, LB Jeremy Castro, LB Aaron Porter and DB Marcus Rios.
Fifteen of the high school recruits were listed among the Scout.com West 150 (DT Ellis McCarthy-4, DB Ishmael Adams-16, WR Jordan Payton-18, LB Jeremy Castro-38, DB Marcus Rios-45, LB Aaron Porter-46, DB Randall Goforth-55, OL Lacy Westbrook-57, OL Colby Cyburt-68, WR Javon Williams-78, WR Kenny Walker-79, ATH Paul Perkins-99, TE Ian Taubler-107, S Taylor Lagace-123, LB Nate Iese-125)
Twenty-two of the new Bruins earned at least a three-star ranking from Rivals.com — five stars (DT Ellis McCarthy), four stars (DB Ishmael Adams, LB Jeremy Castro, QB Devin Fuller, WR Jordan Payton, LB Aaron Porter, DB Marcus Rios, OL Lacy Westbrook, WR Javon Williams), three stars (DL Eli Ankou, OL Colby Cyburt, DB Randall Goforth, OL Simon Goines, OL Carl Hulick, LB Nate Iese, S Taylor Lagace, QB T.J. Millweard, RB Fabian Moreau, ATH Kenny Orjioke, ATH Paul Perkins, TE Ian Taubler, WR Kenny Walker).
Twenty-one of the future Bruins received at least a three-star ranking from Scout.com — five stars (Ellis McCarthy), four stars (Ishmael Adams, Jeremy Castro, Devin Fuller, Jordan Payton, Aaron Porter, Marcus Rios) three stars (Colby Cyburt, Randall Goforth, Simon Goines, Carl Hulick, Nate Iese, Taylor Lagace, T.J. Millweard, Fabian Moreau, Kenny Orjioke, Paul Perkins, Ian Taubler, Lacy Westbrook, Kenny Walker, Javon Williams).
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | High School |
| Ishmael Adams | DB | 5-10 | 190 | Westlake Village, CA | Oaks Christian |
| Eli Ankou | DL | 6-3 | 284 | Bear, DE | Red Lion Christian Academy |
| Jeremy Castro | LB | 6-3 | 253 | Murrieta, CA | Vista Murrieta |
| Justin Combs | DB | 5-9 | 165 | New Rochelle, NY | Iona Prep |
| Colby Cyburt | OL | 6-4 | 265 | Mission Viejo, CA | Mission Viejo |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | K | 5-11.50 | 171 | Honolulu, HI | Punahou |
| Devin Fuller | QB | 6-0 | 195 | Old Tappan, NJ | Northern Valley |
| Randall Goforth | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Long Beach, CA | Long Beach Poly |
| Simon Goines | OL | 6-6 | 314 | Keller, TX | Keller Central |
| Ahmaad Harris | WR | 5-8 | 170 | Suwanee, GA | Peachtree Ridge |
| Carl Hulick | OL | 6-2 | 296 | Anaheim, CA | Esperanza |
| Nate Iese | LB | 6-4 | 240 | Sacramento, CA | Sheldon |
| Taylor Lagace | S | 6-1 | 205 | Arcadia, CA | Arcadia |
| Ellis McCarthy | DT | 6-5 | 326 | Monrovia, CA | Monrovia |
| T.J. Millweard | QB | 6-4 | 225 | Fort Worth, TX | All Saints Episcopal |
| Fabian Moreau | RB | 6-0 | 185 | Davie, FL | Western |
| Kenny Orjioke | ATH | 6-4 | 225 | Marietta, GA | Lassiter |
| Jordan Payton | WR | 6-2 | 205 | Westlake Village, CA | Oaks Christian |
| Paul Perkins | ATH | 5-11 | 190 | Chandler, AZ | Chandler |
| Aaron Porter | LB | 6-2 | 230 | La Habra, CA | La Habra |
| Marcus Rios | DB | 6-0 | 185 | Elk Grove, CA | Cosumnes Oaks |
| Ian Taubler | TE | 6-4 | 250 | Fresno, CA | Bullard |
| Kenny Walker | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Richmond, CA | Kennedy |
| Lacy Westbrook | OL | 6-4 | 320 | Compton, CA | Dominguez |
| Javon Williams | WR | 6-5 | 195 | Chandler, AZ | Chandler |
JUNIOR COLLEGE SIGNEE
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | High School |
| Alexandru Ceachir | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Moldova | Santa Monica JC |
DB – 5-10, 190
Westlake Village, CA (Oaks Christian)
Ranked the No. 7 cornerback in the nation by scout.com and a four-star recruit … No. 117 prospect in the nation, No. 10 cornerback and the No. 20 recruit in California according to rivals.com … Rated the No. 10 cornerback in the nation and No. 14 player in California according to ESPN and a four-star recruit … Selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl … As a senior, he carried 89 times for 717 yards and nine touchdowns … He caught 29 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns … Credited with 34 tackles, one sack and two interceptions … Returned six punts for a 13.3 yard average and three kickoffs for a 22.0 yard average … Named All-CIF Northern Division at defensive back … Rated No. 9 DB in the nation, No. 11 player in CA/NV/HI region and a SuperPrep All-American … Tom Lemming All-American … Named to All-Ventura County team … All-Southland selection by Los Angeles Times and Daily News … As a junior, he had 52 tackles and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, one sack … coached by Bill Redell.
DL – 6-3, 284
Bear, DE (Red Lion Christian Academy)
DA three-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 27 strong side defensive end in the nation … Rated a two-star recruit by scout.com and No. 139 defensive end in the nation … The No. 1 prospect in the state of Delaware according to rivals.com … Rated No. 33 in DC/DEL/MD/WVA by SuperPrep … No. 2 prospect in Delaware according to ESPN and three-star rating … Moves well and has good quickness, strength, and pure speed … Coached by Dwayne Thomas.
LB – 6-3, 253
Murrieta, CA (Vista Murrieta)
Four-star recruit according to scout.com … Four-stars according to rivals.com … No. 17 weak side defensive end in the nation and No. 40 prospect in the state of California according to rivals.com … Nation’s No. 21 outside linebacker according to scout.com … MaxPreps Div. I All-State selection … Rated No. 45 defensive lineman in the nation, No. 26 player in CA/NV/HI region and a SuperPrep All-American … ESPN’s No. 88 player in California and No. 104 defensive end … North Valley Times All-Area pick … All-Riverside County selection … All-Inland Division Defensive Player of the Year … Made 106 tackles, 11 sacks in helping team win CIF-SS Inland Division title as a senior … As a junior, he recorded 118 tackles, 13 sacks and three fumbles caused … Coached by Coley Candaele.
DB – 5-9, 165
New Rochelle, NY (Iona Prep)
A two-star recruit according to scout.com and the No. 132 cornerback in the nation … Two-stars according to rivals.com … Ranked No. 5 prospect in the state of New York by SuperPrep … Three-star recruit according to ESPN and the No. 7 prospect in New York … The son of rap star Sean “Diddy” Combs … Looked upon as a cornerback in college, but was the starting quarterback as a senior … Completed 46 of 74 passes for 614 yards and four touchdowns with four interceptions … Rushed 61 times for 196 yards and four touchdowns … Had 45 tackles and made one interception … Coached by Victor Quirolo.
OL – 6-4, 265
Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo)
A three-star recruit according to scout.com … Rated as scout.com’s No. 50 offensive tackle in the nation … Three-star rivals.com recruit who is ranked as the No. 48 offensive tackle in the country … No. 57 prospect in California according to rivals.com … SuperPrep’s No. 49 recruit in the CA/NV/HI region … ESPN three-star performer who is the No. 79 prospect in California and #89 offensive tackle in the nation … All-CIF Pac-5 Division performer at offensive line … Named to MaxPrep’s Division I All-State team … All-South Coast League selection at offensive line who helped team advance to the CIF-SS Pac-5 title game and an unbeaten league record as a junior … Coached by Bob Johnson.
K – 5-11.50/171
Honolulu, HI (Punahou)
Two-star recruit according to rivals.com and scout.com … No. 9 prospect in the state of Hawaii according to ESPN … ESPN two-star recruit … As a senior, he put 95 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone, and hit 13 of 18 field goal tries, including one from 55 yards … Coached by Kale Ane.
QB – 6-0, 195
Old Tappan, NJ (Northern Valley)
Four-star ranking according to scout.com and the nation’s No. 3 quarterback … Nation’s No. 3 Athlete according to rivals.com … Four-star ranking by rivals.com … Ranked as rivals.com’s No. 37 player in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of New Jersey … No. 7 quarterback according to ESPN and a four-star recruit … ESPN’s No. 1-rated prospect in New Jersey and No. 39 national recruit … Played in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl … Tom Lemming All-American … SuperPrep All-American and the No. 4 quarterback in the nation … As a senior, he completed 127 of 195 passes for 2,247 yards and 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions … Had 120 rushes for 1,326 yards and 17 touchdowns … As a junior, he completed 95 of 143 passes for 1,886 yards and 20 touchdowns, five interceptions … Ran for 2,306 yards and 32 touchdowns … Finished his career with over 10,000 yards of total offense and 118 touchdowns … Made 40 tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back … Coached by Brian Dunn.
DB – 6-0, 180
Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Poly)
Three-star ranking according to scout.com … Nation’s No. 25 cornerback … Three-star rivals.com ranking … No. 37 cornerback in the nation and No. 71 prospect in the state of California according to rivals.com … Rated as No. 37 player in CA/NV/HI region by SuperPrep … Four-star recruit according to ESPN … ESPN’s No. 45 wide receiver and the No. 39 prospect in California … As a senior, made 12 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns … Credited with 79 tackles, four interceptions and one fumble recovery … As a junior, recorded 14 receptions for 245 yards and one touchdown … Also served as kick returner … coached by Raul Lara.
OL – 6-6, 314
Keller, TX (Keller Central)
Three-star ranking according to scout.com … Nation’s No. 37 offensive tackle … Three-stars according to rivals.com … Rivals.com No. 55 offensive tackle and No. 71 prospect in the state of Texas … ESPN three-star ranking and the No. 56 offensive tackle in the nation … Rated No. 77 player in Texas by ESPN … Considered the No. 47 player in Texas by SuperPrep … As a senior, he made 11 pancake blocks … Had two tackles, both sacks … Coached by Bart Helsley … Throws the shot and discus in track.
WR – 5-8, 170
Suwanee, GA (Peachtree Ridge)
A two-star recruit according to scout.com … As a senior, he made 41 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns … He had one rushing attempt which went for a 76-yard touchdown … Coached by Mark Fleetwood.
OL – 6-2, 296
Anaheim, CA (Esperanza)
Three-star recruit according to rivals.com … The No. 14 center prospect in the nation and the No. 95 recruit in California according to rivals.com … A three-star recruit according to scout.com … Scout’s No. 15 center in the nation … Listed as the No. 145 prospect in the CA/NV/HI region by SuperPrep … ESPN two-star recruit … Named All-CIF Southwest Division at offensive line … Had 13 tackles on defense as a senior … Totaled 48 tackles, with one sack, as a junior … Also a wrestler in high school … Coached by Greg Kemp.
LB – 6-4, 240
Sacramento, CA (Sheldon)
Three-star ranking according to scout.com … The nation’s No. 61 defensive end according to scout.com … Three-star ranking by rivals.com … Rated as the No. 84 player in the CA/NV/HI region by SuperPrep … ESPN three-star recruit … Ranked No. 97 prospect in California and No. 119 defensive end by ESPN … As a senior, he had 50 tackles, 8.5 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, two fumbles caused, three fumbles recovered … Named second-team MaxPreps All-Sac.-Joaquin … Also played tight end and made 42 receptions for 522 yards and seven touchdowns … As a junior, he registered 50 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and two fumbles caused … Coached by Josh Crabtree.
S – 6-1, 205
Arcadia, CA (Arcadia)
Three-star recruit according to rivals.com and scout.com … Scout.com’s No. 46 safety in the nation … Rated No. 82 prospect in CA/NV/HI by Super Prep … Three-star recruit according to ESPN … Rated No. 69 prospect in the state of California by ESPN and the No. 95 wide receiver … As a senior, he made 63 catches for 875 yards and five touchdowns … Credited with 45 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble caused … All-CIF Southeast Division performer at wide receiver … As a junior, he had 53 receptions for 650 yards, 11 TDs … Totaled 1,045 return yards … Made 50 tackles, caused three fumbles and made four interceptions … Coached by Jon Dimalante.
DT – 6-5, 326
Monrovia, CA (Monrovia)
A five-star recruit according to scout.com and the nation’s No. 2 defensive tackle … Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Named to the first-team USA Today All-American squad … Named No. 10 defensive lineman in the nation according to SuperPrep and the No. 8 player in the CA/NV/HI region … No. 21 recruit in the nation and No. 2 recruit in California according to rivals.com … Rated as the nation’s No. 4 defensive tackle by rivals.com … Rated the No. 43 player in the country by ESPN and a four-star recruit … Tom Lemming All-American … All-CIF Mid-Valley Division at defensive line … Team posted 23-5 record over his senior and junior seasons … Pasadena Star-News Two-time Defensive Player of the Year … Made 55 tackles, five sacks, three fumble recoveries as a senior … Named U.S. Air Force Medium Schools second-team All-American … As a junior, he was credited with 69 tackles and 11 sacks … Coached by Ryan Maddox.
QB – 6-4, 225
Fort Worth, TX (All Saints Episcopal)
Rated the nation’s No. 91 player, No. 5 quarterback, by ESPN and a four-star recruit … A three-star recruit, rated the No. 31 quarterback in the nation according to scout.com … Three-star recruit who is rated the No. 23-rated pro style quarterback in the country by rivals.com … Considered the No. 90 prospect in the state of Texas by rivals.com … Tom Lemming All-American … Rated the No. 111 player in the state of Texas according to SuperPrep … ESPN’s No. 13 player in the state of Texas … Expected to enroll early at UCLA in time for 2012 Spring Practice … In his senior season, he completed 171 of 255 passes for 2,374 yards with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions … He had three four- touchdown pass games … Also served as the team’s punter … As a junior, he completed 127 of 209 passes for 1,621 yards for 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions … He also rushed for 464 yards on 86 carries and four touchdowns … Coached by Aaron Beck.
RB – 6-0, 185
Davie, FL (Western)
Three-star recruit according to rivals.com … A three-star recruit according to scout.com and the nation’s No. 121 running back … ESPN two-star recruit … As a senior, he ran 149 times for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns … Also caught 21 passes for 416 yards and seven touchdowns … Played in the South Florida All-Star game … Coached by Doug Dutton.
ATH – 6-4, 225
Marietta, GA (Lassiter)
A three-star recruit according to scout.com and scout’s No. 53-ranked outside linebacker in the nation … A three-star recruit according to rivals.com and rated No. 65 in the nation in the list of prospects at the athlete position … Rivals.com’s No. 64 rated player in the state of Georgia … SuperPrep’s No. 39 prospect in the state of Georgia … Three-star recruit by ESPN and No. 89 prospect in Georgia … ESPN rated him as 89th-best outside linebacker … As a senior, he made 61 tackles and seven interceptions … Moved to Georgia after growing up in southern California … Was born in Nigeria … Helped his team finish 10-4 as a senior, losing in the 5A semifinals … Coached by Jep Irwin.
WR – 6-2, 205
Westlake Village, CA (Oaks Christian)
A four-star recruit according to scout.com and the nation’s No. 15 wide receiver … Four-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 15 wide receiver … No. 93 prospect in the nation and the No. 19 recruit in the state of California … SuperPrep’s No. 16 recruit in CA/NV/HI region … Tom Lemming All-American … In his senior season, he made 61 catches for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns … He gained 150 yards on seven carries for one touchdown … Made 40 tackles and two interceptions … As a junior, he caught 45 passes for 1,088 yards and 18 touchdowns … Coached by Bill Redell.
ATH – 5-11, 190
Chandler, AZ (Chandler)
A three-star recruit according to scout.com and the No. 85 cornerback prospect in the nation … Three-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 40 prospect at the athlete position in the nation … ESPN two-star recruit and the No. 25 prospect in Arizona … SuperPrep’s No. 11 recruit in the state of Arizona In his senior season, he rushed for 1,297 yards and 20 touchdowns … As a junior, had 44 carries for 270 yards and two touchdowns … Made 11 catches for 100 yards … Recorded 31 tackles and made one interception … Coached by Shaun Aguano.
LB – 6-2, 230
La Habra, CA (La Habra)
Four-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 22 outside linebacker in the nation … No. 34 recruit in California according to rivals.com … A four-star recruit according to scout.com and the No. 11-ranked middle linebacker in the nation … A SuperPrep All-American rated as the No. 33 linebacker in nation … Rated No. 30 player in CA/NV/HI … Four-star recruit by ESPN and the No. 16 player in the state of California … Tom Lemming All-American … Had 11.5 sacks and forced five fumbles as a senior … All-CIF Southwest Division Defensive Player of the Year … Named All-CIF Southwest Division on both offense (rb) and defense (lb) … Named U.S. Air Force Medium Schools All-American … Orange County Register Defensive Player of the Year … As a junior, he recorded a school record 156 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and two interceptions … Coached by Frank Mazzotta.
DB – 6-0, 185
Elk Grove, CA (Cosumnes Oaks)
Four-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 21 cornerback in the nation … No. 32 recruit in the state of California according to rivals.com … A four-star recruit according to scout.com and the No. 19-ranked cornerback in the nation … A SuperPrep All-American rated as the No. 32 defensive back in the nation … Rated as the No. 29 prospect in the CA/NV/HI region by Super Prep … ESPN three-star recruit who is No. 25 cornerback in the nation and the No. 47 prospect in the state of California … Named to first-team MaxPreps Sac.-Joaquin section team … First-team All-Metro selection by Sacramento Bee … Expected to enroll early at UCLA and participate in 2012 Spring practice … As a senior, he ran 23 times for 136 yards; caught 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown … Totaled 59 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defended … Also returned seven punts for a 12.7 average … As a junior, he made 47 tackles and one interception … Coached by Ryan Gomes.
TE – 6-4, 250
Fresno, CA (Bullard)
Three-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 29 tight end in the nation … No. 81 recruit in the state of California according to rivals.com … A three-star recruit according to scout. com and the No. 25-ranked tight end in the nation … Rated as No. 73 prospect in the CA/NV/HI by SuperPrep … ESPN three-star recruit … Rated as the No. 75 tight end in the nation according to ESPN … Named second-team MaxPreps All-State … All-Fresno Bee … As a senior, he made 12 catches for 187 yards and three touchdowns … Also played on the defensive line … Coached by Don Arax.
WR – 6-0, 175
Richmond, CA (Kennedy)
Three-star ranking according to scout.com … Scout’s No. 38 running back in the nation … Three-star rivals.com recruit … Rated as the nation’s No. 71 wide receiver and the No. 59 prospect in the state of California … Three-star ESPN recruit … SuperPrep’s No. 54 recruit in the CA/NV/HI region … Saw limited action as a senior … Had one rush for a 53-yard touchdown and made two receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown … Coached by Mack Carminer.
OL – 6-4, 320
Compton, CA (Dominguez)
A three-star recruit according to scout.com and the No. 18-rated offensive guard in the nation … Four-star ranking according to rivals.com and the No. 25 offensive tackle in the nation … No. 31 recruit in the state of California and the No. 238 prospect in the nation according to rivals.com … Rated No. 38 prospect in the CA/NV/HI region by SuperPrep … Three-star recruit according to ESPN and the No. 54-ranked prospect in the state of California … Rated as the nation’s No. 36 offensive guard by ESPN … Athletic and powerful run blocker … Coached by Keith Donerson.
WR – 6-5, 195
Chandler, AZ (Chandler)
A three-star recruit according to scout.com and the No. 53 wide receiver in the nation … A four-star recruit according to rivals.com and the No. 36 wide receiver in the nation … Considered the No. 227 recruit in the nation and the No. 5 prospect in the state of Arizona … SuperPrep’s No. 8 recruit in the state of Arizona … Tom Lemming All-American … In his senior season, he made 33 catches for 923 yards and nine touchdowns … As a junior, he caught 30 passes for 664 yards and eight touchdowns … Coached by Shaun Aguano.
JUNIOR COLLEGE SIGNEE
OL – 6-5, 300
Moldova (Santa Monica)
The 6-5/300 lb. lineman hails from Moldova, a country located between Romania and the Ukraine. He graduated from high school in the Spring of 2009 and then headed to Santa Monica CC in 2010. While at SMCC in 2011, he played tackle and earned first-team American Pacific Conference honors. Ceachir also helped lead SMCC to their first conference championship in 20 years.
