The Bruins have a commitment from one of the top linemen left on the West Coast.
2023 offensive lineman Tabake Tuikolovac has made a verbal commitment to UCLA football, a product of Summit High School (CA) revealed on Twitter Friday. Tuikolovatu will be the Bruins’ next recruit in his class and will be the first offensive line in his recruit, but coaches tip his Kelly and his staff as well to address their needs in advance. It patrolls the transfer portals because of its potential.
Tuikolovatu had received additional offers from BYU, California, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Washington.
Utah was once favored to acquire Fontana from California in October, but the Utes had Tuikolobatu as their defensive lineman. It was UCLA offensive line coach Tim Drevno who put forward the 6-foot-6, 300-pound prospect on Oct. 19.
The Bruins took Tujkolovac on an official visit on the weekend of December 9, making it his final visit. Tuikolovac also made an official visit to Cal, Utah, and Washington during the fall.
According to 247Sports, Tuikolovatu is a three-star recruit, but has no ratings from Rivals, ESPN, or On3. In the 247Sports Composite, Tuikolovatu ranks 69th in the nation as an interior he offensive lineman, 75th in California and 861st in his class as a recruit.
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Among California’s dedicated players, Tuikolovac ranked 7th overall and 1st in the offensive line.
In his nine-game senior campaign, Tuikolovac had 44 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, six quarterback hurleys, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and was the starting tackle for the Summit.
It remains to be seen if UCLA aims to take Tujkolovac to the next level, playing at tackle or guard. Both as guard Attonio Mafi is disqualified and guard John Gaines II, center Duke Clemens and tackle Raikwon O’Neill are all ready to consider potential professional opportunities. New jobs may be opened on the spot.
Tuikolovac probably won’t be competing for one of those first gigs as a true freshman, but where and how the Bruins plug those holes could determine a good place for him to move forward. There is a possibility
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Photo courtesy of: TAVAKE TUIKOLOVATU/Twitter