LOS ANGELES — As a result of UCLA's recruiting under coach Chip Kelly, high school players are becoming an endangered species.
Just check the numbers. The size of each of his high school recruiting classes has dwindled, from 27 players in 2018, to 22 in 2019, to 20 in 2020, to 18 in 2021 and 11 in 2022. For the Class of 2023, the Bruins have only six players who have orally committed.
Meanwhile, the number of transfers has soared. UCLA imported two transfers in Kelly's first season, three in his second season, five in his third season and eight in his fourth season. When the Bruins trot onto the Rose Bowl field for their season opener against Bowling Green on Sept. 3, their roster will include 13 new transfers.
