UCLA had just suffered its most damaging defeat of the season last Saturday, a two-point loss to Washington State that might have knocked the Bruins out of a bowl bid, but there were almost as many smiles as frowns in the locker room.
A room full of fresh-faced recruits can do that.
"Did you guys win last night?" Bruin sophomore defensive tackle Kevin Brown asked a former Long Beach Poly teammate being pursued by UCLA.
"You know it," said the smiling recruit, referring to Poly's victory over Lakewood on Friday.
With USC ranked first in the nation after last season's co-national championship, the perception may be that Westwood is not a destination for top recruits.
That doesn't seem to be the case. Although the Bruins still need a victory to become bowl eligible, with games Saturday against Oregon and Dec. 4 against USC, second-year Coach Karl Dorrell likes what he's seeing in UCLA's 2005 recruiting class.
"Recruiting has been going well and the reason why is that there's been a lot of promise shown in terms of the direction of the program," Dorrell said. "We've had our stumbling blocks along the way this season, but our young players have responded by showing great effort.... Recruits see that and they're excited about an opportunity to build the program."
With nearly three months to go before signing day in February, the Bruins have oral commitments from several blue-chip players, including Chino High safety Shawn Oatis, who announced his decision last week.
Part of the attraction is a chance to play early in their college careers. It hasn't gone unnoticed by them that Dorrell has started defensive end Brigham Harwell, offensive guard Shannon Tevaga and wide receivers Brandon Breazell and Marcus Everett, all freshmen.
"I know that I will get an opportunity to play as a freshman," said Aleksey Lanis, a versatile 300-pounder from Crenshaw High who is considered a top offensive line prospect. "That definitely plays a key role. Right now, you can tell that they are still learning how to finish games."
Lanis probably will be joined at UCLA by at least two Crenshaw teammates, linebacker Reggie Carter and defensive end Chinonso Anyanwu.
The Bruins also have oral commitments from cornerback Aaron Ware of Westlake Village Oaks Christian, tight end Adam Heater of Snohomish (Wash.) High, and twins Korey and Kyle Miller, linebackers from Plano West in Texas and nephews of former Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth.
