UCLA football: Top recruits Willis, Smith on visits
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It’s steal-a-recruit day at the Rose Bowl. UCLA’s has two prominent high school players making official visits. Brandon Willis, a defensive tackle from Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes High, and Kip Smith, a kicker from Broomfield (Colo.) Legacy, are in town on official visits to UCLA.
Willis, who is 6-4 and 250 pounds, is ranked sixth at his position by Rivals.com. He has committed to Tennessee. Willis has also visited North Carolina.
UCLA desperately needs defensive tackles. Jerzy Siewierski and Jess Ward are seniors, and junior Brian Price may declare for the NFL draft after this season. It is unlikely that Willis could come in and play immediately, but the depth is so thin he would certainly get a look.
Smith is ranked third nationally. He has committed to Minnesota.
UCLA has kicker Kai Forbath, who is a junior, and punter Jeff Locke, who is a redshirt freshman. Locke can also handle place-kicking duties. But Smith would be hard to pass up. He set a Colorado state record with a 67-yard field goal during his team’s season opener.