UCLA’s 2012 Recruiting Class First Step in Pete Carroll-Like Resurrection

Talented two-way prep standout Devin Fuller announced on Sunday he would join Jim Mora’s already impressive first recruiting at UCLA. Fuller is a four star recruit sought out for both his quarterback and secondary play, and in signing with the Bruins, spurned previous frontrunner Rutgers and Arizona.

Fuller’s addition bolsters a class that Rivals.com currently ranks at No. 12, tops among the Pac-12. It seems unlikely that the dual threat style quarterback Fuller will play offense at UCLA, given Mora’s NFL lineage and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone’s affinity for more traditional passers. That makes the signing all the more meaningful, as Fuller’s style suits conference rival UA’s new offensive philosophy and would have given him immediate high billing on the depth chart.

Fuller is another talent who buys into what is happening in Westwood (Pasadena on game days). His likely move to free safety, where he excelled at Northern Valley High School, adds to arguably the most impressive defensive of Wednesday’s National Signing Day. Included among the class are five stars: tackle Ellis McCarthy and cornerback Marcus Rios; and four stars: end Jeremy Castro, linebacker Aaron Porter, and Fuller.

The highlight of the offensive signings is offensive lineman Lacy Westbrook. The offense is also noteworthy for adding recruits from beyond the Bruins’ typical sphere of influence, tagging quarterback T.J. Millweard from Texas, and running back Fabian Moreau from Florida.

Many of the commitments came after Mora was hired to replace Rick Neuheisel on Dec. 13. The chief concern of Mora’s hiring was his connection to the college game, have spent nearly his entire career in the pro ranks. Thus far, he’s passing the first major test of college football with flying colors.

Big time recruits to Bowl Championship Series conference programs want to play in the NFL. Who better to guide them there than a coach with the know-how of what the professional franchises seek in a player? The philosophy worked for Pete Carroll across Los Angeles at arch rival USC.

Carroll’s hiring in 2001 raised eyebrows. His tenure with the New England Patriots, just prior to coming to USC, ranged from middling success to outright mediocrity. Yet he turned USC into the juggernaut it had been previously under John Robinson, Larry Smith, and John McKay, and Carroll did so in short order.

UCLA has laid dormant longer than USC when Carroll began its rebuilding project. The Bruins last played in the Rose Bowl in the 1998 season, and have failed to even threaten for national relevance almost every season subsequently. USC’s dominance of both the rivalry, and the conference has Bruin faithful wanting to expedite its own process. Why not follow the road map USC took?

Mora’s NFL career arc mirrored Carroll’s in many ways. Both went to the Playoffs immediately, but were later suffered through underwhelming seasons. Ironically, it was Carroll who succeeded Mora in Seattle after a pair of 5-11 campaigns. The college game provides an opportunity for career rejuvenation to Mora as it did Carroll. And if a coach is going to make that transition, best to go to a program with easily unlocked potential.

That has been the most perplexing facet of UCLA’s struggles — its unlimited potential. Bob Toledo and Karl Dorrell oversaw sustained meh, while Neuheisel’s peak was meh. The Bruins have played in just three bowl games and have one winning season since 2007 — a stretch in which it has failed to beat UA or USC, as well. There’s no reason for such a lack of success.

UCLA is an astounding university with a gorgeous campus and student lifestyle to match. There’s no lack of football tradition, and Southern California has an almost unlimited resource of standout prep talent to recruit.

Mora’s aggressive pursuit on that recruiting trail is perhaps the first step in the wake-up call.

A nationally heralded recruiting class such as this shouldn’t come as a surprise. To quote Vince Offer, UCLA is the ShamWow: it sells itself. To wit, defensive end signee Nate Iese was a Neuheisel commit. When I spoke to him last month, Iese told me he was committed to a university, not a coaching staff. Perhaps Mora doesn’t need to be anything more than a facilitator in that regard. Handle the Xs and Os, turn them into Ws, and the rest will take care of itself.