UCLA Football: Who Is Trojans' Most Important 2024 Recruit?
As of today, UCLA has received 10 signed letters of intent during the football early signing period. The players set to join the Bruin football program in 2024 consist of two quarterbacks, a wide receiver, two defensive backs, three offensive linemen, a linebacker, and a running back.
The UCLA 2024 recruiting class may not be as flashy as some, but Chip Kelly has expressed confidence in the caliber of the players he's signed in this cycle. Also worth mentioning are his plans to rely heavily on the transfer portal to supplement the relatively low number of high school recruits he's signed.
So, worth asking is which of these 10 recruits might be the one to keep an eye on as far as somebody who could step into the program and not only contribute immediately, but also give UCLA a solid three-four years of production.
Here is the list of commitments. So, which of these 10 young men is the most important to the future of UCLA Football?
In a recent virtual media availability, Chip Kelly said that four of the 10 recruits will be enrolling in January. Kelly suggested that those four players would have the best chance at playing as true freshman due to familiarity with coaches, schemes, etc.
Given those four players have the best chance at making an impact soon, we'll focus on them to answer our original question. So, out of those four, who is the most important? Given that the Bruins are likely facing the departure of their three best pass rushers, we'll focus in on who out of the four early enrollees could best assist in that department.
Which brings us to outside linebacker Isaiah Patterson, a three-star recruit (according to all four recruiting networks) out of Yelm, Washington. Patterson played all over the defense in high school, and is about a versatile as they come. 247 Sports recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman suggested he wouldn't be surprised if Patterson ends up at outside linebacker or inside linebacker at the next level.
The learning curve for edge defenders going from high school to college is sharp, so it's fair to assume Patterson has a better chance at playing as an off-ball linebacker during his true freshman season. But, if Patterson can put on some weight, he may be able to move to the edge defender position in year two.
With a recruiting class of just 10 players, the Bruins will likely need at least one of them to contribute in year one, and Patterson might just be that guy.