Orange Lutheran senior Keisean Lucier-South has heard the rumors about UCLA coach Jim Mora being interested in a return to the NFL.
The UCLA commit also has heard from some of his past college suitors, including one from the Big Ten that has a new coach from the NFL.
Yes, the defensive end/outside linebacker has been contacted recently by Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
“I’ve talked to him twice already,” Lucier-South said this week. “I was surprised they were going to talk to me because I’m (committed) to UCLA.”
Oregon, Oklahoma, Washington and even free-agent assistant coach Ed Orgeron has checked in with Lucier-South or Lancers coach Chuck Petersen as the recruiting winds swirl around arguably the county’s No. 1 prospect in the class of 2015.
Coaching changes, or even rumored ones, have seemingly become a constant source of movement and added drama during recruiting. Last season, the moves of Steve Sarkisian to USC and Chris Petersen to Washington affected the decisions of county recruits.
But Lucier-South, who recently returned from playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in Texas, appears steady as National Signing Day on Feb. 4 creeps closer.
“I just know how to handle it now,” he said. “When I committed, I thought this whole recruiting process would be done and it was actually. I didn’t talk to any coaches (for a long time) after that.
“But now the rumors start with Mora, (and) I’ve been getting all these calls again, so it’s like getting recruited. … I’m OK with it.”
Lucier-South has leaned on his contacts at UCLA for comfort. He talked this week with assistant coaches and remains passionate about the Bruins, who received his verbal commitment the day of their 38-20 victory against USC on Nov. 22.
“Right now, I’m 100 percent UCLA. … If (Mora) leaves, I don’t know what is going to happen,” Lucier-South said. “But right now, I just think he’s going to stay.”
Mora said this week that he is happy at UCLA. The Lancers head coach, Petersen, a former veteran assistant at Air Force, said he sympathizes for his standout player and Mora.
“(Mora) may not have any intentions of going to the NFL, but (competitors) are planting seeds in other kids’ minds to get some doubt in there,” Petersen said. “I feel for Keisean. That’s why a lot of time you always tell a kid, don’t go to a school because of the coach. You go for the school, the education.”
Lucier-South says he has strong feelings for UCLA, which offered him as a sophomore.
“It felt like home to me,” he said of his commitment. “I’ve been over there so many times. I’ve probably taken seven unofficial (visits) … And I love coach Mora. He’s a good player’s coach.”
Lucier-South has stayed busy lately with the increased recruiting calls and by serving as the sixth man for Orange Lutheran’s basketball team.
He also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 3, where he recorded a sack and two tackles for losses as a starter. During his time in Texas, Lucier-South attended a Spurs game, met NBA stars Tim Duncan and Anthony Davis, bowled with special needs children and visited a hospital.
Chuck Petersen said one of the television announcers pronounced Lucier-South as “Lucier-Smith” after the sack. Petersen and Lucier-South laughed about the miscue this week.
College recruiters certainly know the player.
MORE BIG TEN CHANGES
Mater Dei seniors Olive Sagapolu, a defensive tackle, and Kyle Penniston, a tight end, remain committed to Wisconsin, which earlier this month selected Paul Chryst as its new coach. Chryst replaced Gary Andersen, who left for Oregon State.
Sagapolu said Friday that he and Penniston remain committed to the Badgers, but he was initially concerned by the coaching situation. “It worried me a little bit,” Sagapolu said, “but I spoke with Chryst and (defensive coordinator Dave Aranda).”
O.C. NOTES
San Clemente All-County linebacker Riley Whimpey was offered this week by Utah State, Tritons coach Jaime Ortiz said. Whimpey also has been offered by Boise State. The Tritons have four players – seniors Sam Darnold and Whimpey and juniors Tucker Scott and Cole Fotheringham – with Division 1-A offers. … Buena Park’s Jaylinn Hawkins plans to visit Oregon next weekend, Coyotes coach Anthony White said. … The new Orange County-Inland Empire all-star game on Jan. 24 at Corona at 7 p.m. will give seniors another chance to impress recruiters. El Toro’s Robert Frith is coaching the Orange County team, which is expected to consist of about 35 players.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
