Eleven high school recruits put pen to paper on their national letters of intent with the Bruins.
Overall, UCLA football signed six four-stars and five three-stars on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday. The Bruins’ 2022 recruiting class now ranks fifth in the Pac-12 – sitting behind Stanford, Oregon, Arizona and Utah – and No. 45 nationally.
While the class is smaller than in most other years, coach Chip Kelly said the size is not a reflection of its overall quality.
“We knew we were going to be limited number-wise,” Kelly said. “When you look at the quality of the class, it’s outstanding. It’s just not a big number because we don’t have a big number to sign.”
Programs are typically allowed to carry 85 scholarship players and are limited to 25 players per recruiting class. However, teams were allowed to carry more scholarship players this season because of an extra year of eligibility granted to student-athletes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams were also allowed to sign up to 33 recruits, according to Kelly.
While the super seniors who have already utilized the extra year aren’t allowed to return, the Bruins are still waiting on decisions from traditional seniors and have held scholarships for them should they return to Westwood.
With 17 or 18 scholarships available, according to Kelly, UCLA is also holding some spots for transfer recruits. Kelly and the Bruins secured a commitment from former Duke wide receiver Jake Bobo on Monday and are in the running for a number of prospects currently in the transfer portal, who could sign during the regular signing period in February.
Prior to the 2021 season, UCLA signed nine players via the transfer portal and 16 from high school.
“Everybody knows our success with the transfer portal,” Kelly said. “I’ve heard some coaches complain about it. I think you have to embrace it, and I think we have embraced it, and it’s really helped our football team.”
Of the 11 players the Bruins signed Wednesday, 10 are from the state of California, while tight end Carsen Ryan – who hails from Utah – represents the lone player from out of state.
Along with the four-star Ryan, UCLA also signed four-star tight end Jack Pedersen after not signing any tight ends in the previous two classes.
Kelly – who typically utilizes two tight ends in his offense – said the Bruins’ history of developing tight ends is an attractive feature of the program.
“There’s certain schools out there right now – we’re not the only one – that have a reputation for their use of the tight end, and we’re one of them,” Kelly said. “That’s a big benefit to us, and I think that’s a big factor in both Carsen and Jack coming here.”
Four-star safety Kamari Ramsey marks the highest-ranked player in the Bruins’ class, as the former Stanford commit ranks as the 12th best at his position and No. 165 overall in 247Sports’ national rankings.
Wide receiver Jadyn Marshall, quarterback Justyn Martin and athlete Clint Stephens round out the four-star signees for UCLA. The only quarterback in the class, Martin recently made waves after breaking the state record for touchdown passes in a single game with 13 while playing for Inglewood High School.
Senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson – who has still not decided whether or not he will take his extra year of eligibility and return to the Bruins – said he’s already developed a relationship with the young quarterback.
“I’ve definitely watched him play, watched his film a little bit when he broke that touchdown record – he’s a good football player,” Thompson-Robinson said. “He asked me a bunch of questions kind of wanting to get a feel for how the school is, the program is, the players, the coaches, … so we’ve talked a little bit and have a pretty good relationship so far.”
Linebacker Jalen Woods, offensive lineman Sam Yoon, wide receiver Braden Pegan, running back Tomarion Harden and safety Croix Stewart are the five three-star recruits in the class.
UCLA is currently preparing to take on No. 18 North Carolina State in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.
