UCLA Football: Jordan Payton flips to the Bruins

Scott Robinson

In one of the biggest signing day surprises since S Dietrich Riley spurned Southern Cal, WR Jordan Payton  (6'2 / 205) intends to play for UCLA.  Here are some of his highlights:


 
Jordan Payton Junior Highlights - Courtesy of ALLSTARAPPROACH

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UCLA Football: Javon Williams Commits to the Bruins

Scott Robinson

UCLA picked up another WR recruit in 2012 AZ Javon Williams (6'5 / 185) this morning.  Here are some of his highlights:



Javon Williams 2010 Football Highlights - Courtesy of keltonwood

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UCLA Football: LOI's trickling in...

Scott Robinson

We just received the first tweet from Head Coach Jim L. Mora confirming the following LOI's as received:

-Ellis McCarthy
-Jeremy Castro
-Devin Fuller
-Nate Iese 

Additionally, media outlets have reported the following LOI's as processed:

-Aaron Porter
-Paul Perkins
-Carl Hulick

Furthermore, a certain hack who fronts as a UCLA "beat reporter" continues to froth in yellow journalism with an annual 85 scholarship muckraking headline.  Of course, for those actually in touch with the NCAA handbook, we might review the following...

Believe it or not, but the hooting and hollering about UCLA’s total number of available golden tickets can actually be collected from the NCAA bylaws. Specifically, this one on pg. 115:

13.9.2.3 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings—Bowl Subdivision Football. [FBS]

In bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 28 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid from the initial signing date of the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent through May 31. [D] (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10)

Of course, the 85 Annual Scholarship Limit is only enforced at the onset of the 2012 season (i.e. when players report in June).  A little digging in the NCAA Handbook and we would find:

15.5.6.3 Initial Counters—Football (Also see Bylaw 15.02.3.1).

15.5.6.3.1 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering in Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A

student-athlete recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters in the fall term and

receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) during the first academic year in

residence shall be an initial counter for that year in football. Therefore, such aid shall not be awarded if the

institution has reached its limit on the number of initial counters prior to the award of institutional financial

aid to the student-athlete. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.2 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering After Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters after the first term of

the academic year and immediately receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) shall be an initial counter for either the current academic year (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or the next academic year. The student-athlete shall be included in the institution’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.3 Recruited Student-Athlete, Aid Received After First Year. [FBS/FCS] A recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) (including a student-athlete who was not a qualifier) who first receives

athletically related financial aid after the student-athlete’s first academic year in residence shall be an initial

counter for that academic year in which the aid is first received, if such aid is received during the fall term.

However, such a student-athlete who first receives athletically related financial aid in the second or third term of an academic year may be considered an initial counter during the academic year in which aid was first received or the next academic year. In either case, the student-athlete shall be included in the institution’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/3/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.4 Nonrecruited Student-Athlete Receiving Institutional Financial Aid. [FBS/FCS] A

student-athlete not recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the institution who receives institutional financial aid

(based in any degree on athletics ability) after beginning football practice becomes a counter but need not

be counted as an initial counter until the next academic year if the institution has reached its initial limit

for the year in question. However, the student-athlete shall be considered in the total counter limit for the

academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

15.5.6.3.5 Midyear Replacement. [FBS/FCS] A counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates

during the previous academic year (including summer) may be replaced by an initial counter, who shall be

counted against the initial limit either for the year in which the aid is awarded (if the institution’s annual

limit has not been reached) or for the following academic year, or by a student-athlete who was an initial

counter in a previous academic year and is returning to the institution after time spent on active duty in the

armed services or on an official religious mission. In bowl subdivision football, an institution may use the

midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year

to the maximum number of overall counters (85 total counters). In championship subdivision football,

an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid

during that academic year that equals the maximum number of overall equivalencies or overall counters.

(Revised: 4/20/99 effective 8/1/99, 6/8/99, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 8/2/05, 12/15/06, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 4/2/10, 1/15/11)

One could also venture further; we could find an understanding as to how “Medical Retirements” function.  Look on pgs. 200-203 of the NCAA 2011-2012 Handbook and one would find the following:

-Information on One-year Renewals

-Information on Counters

-Information on Medical Retirements

-Information on Institutional Obligations

Clearly, someone forgot to review the actual rules regarding LOI’s…  But hey, why don't we let them count if they want to!

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Happy Birthday, Jackie Robinson.

Scott Robinson

Lost in the craze of National Signing Day, today marks what would have been Mr. Jackie Robinson's 93rd birthday.  As a tribute to the man who changed the face of baseball and beyond, I felt a quick nod was necessary to the #28 before he became known as the infamous #42.  Nestor, of BruinsNation.com, put up a nice piece earlier today (inspiring my post, with Robinson's #28 uniform number showcased):

Happy Birthday, Mr. Robinson

An oldie, but goodie, the following biopic might provide some insight as to how he actually came to be known as the Jackie Robinson we understand and cherish today.  Before transferring into UCLA from Pasadena Junior College, Robinson went to school at Pasadena's Muir High.  

For all those who didn't realize, Robinson lettered in four sports for UCLA: Track & Field, Football, Basketball and, of course, Baseball.  In the following film, he actually plays himself:
 
 
The Jackie Robinson Story - Jewel Pictures - Brought to you by drelbcom

Night folks!


Follow @uclasportsblog, here or on BruinsBall.com for all of tomorrow's Signing Day madness!

UCLA Football: Kenny Walker Commits to the Bruins

Scott Robinson

ESPN's Greg Biggins is reporting CA 2012 target WR Kenny Walker (6'0 / 175) will commit to the Bruins tomorrow on National Signing Day.  Here are some of Walker's highlights:



Kennedy High Eagles #10 Kenny Walker - Courtesy tunemaster15

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UCLA Football: Simon Goines Commits to the Bruins

Scott Robinson

UCLA picked up it's 26th commitment today in Keller, TX OL Simon Goines
(6'8 / 295).  Here is some video of him with Central High School (TX):


Simon Goines #79 Junior Highlights - Courtesy deaconscg



 Simon Goines #79 Highlights - 247sports.com

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UCLA Football: Devin Fuller Commits to the Bruins

Scott Robinson

According to multiple media outlets, UCLA has picked up another gem of a recruit today.  Old Tappan, NJ ATH/QB Devin Fuller (6'0 / 185) committed to the Bruins:



Devin Fuller 2011 Senior Highlights Trailer - www.varsityhighlights.tv

Devin Fuller Full Season Highlights 2010 - www.varsityhighlights.tv