UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel building solid recruiting class

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Damien Thigpen ran away from Tennessee and into the waiting arms of Westwood. UCLA signed the speedy tailback this morning after he had been committed to the Vols.

UCLA almost pulled Billy Sanders away from Miami. The tight end committed to the Hurricanes, then the Bruins, but wound up signing with The U. No worries in Westwood, though. The nation’s best tight end prospect, Morrell Presley, is already enrolled at UCLA after originally committing to USC.

One of the other gems of Rick Neuheisel’s 2009 recruiting class is cornerback Marlon Pollard, who was originally committed to UCLA before switching to Notre Dame and then back to UCLA. But the Irish eyes are smiling after signing linebacker Manti Te’o, a top target for the Bruins.

Head spinning yet? Here are the guys who aren’t going anywhere -- they’ve all signed official letters of intent at UCLA this morning:

• Damien Thigpen, RB, Manassas, Va. (Stonewall Jackson HS) -- Fast, small, fast. Did we mention fast?
• Stanley Hasiak, OL, Hawaii (Kapolei) -- With UCLA’s offensive line problems, the versatile lineman could fill in soon at either tackle or guard.
• Iuta Tepa, DE, Long Beach (Poly) -- The Los Angeles Times lineman of the year was a highly sought-after recruit.
• Taniela Maka, LB, Long Beach (Jordan) -- Yet another ‘steal’ for UCLA; originally committed to Arizona.
• Alex Mascarenas, DB, Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo High) -- Member of Scout.com California 101 (No. 57).
• Marlon Pollard, DB, San Bernardino (Cajon High) -- One of the most important signees for UCLA, Scout.com says his strengths include backpedal quickness, coverage awareness and instincts, while he could improve on jamming ability and size.
• Sheldon Price, DB, La Puente (Bishop Amat) -- A legacy Bruin; his dad, Dennis, was in the Bruins’ secondary before playing in the NFL.
• Brandon Sermons, DB, Pomona (Diamond Ranch) -- His older brother, Rodney, was a tailback at USC from 1994 to ’97.
• Nik Abele, OL/DL, Irvine (Irvine HS) -- He can play both sides of the line, but obviously UCLA needs more help on offense right now.
• Isaiah Bowens, LB, La Puente (Bishop Amat) -- Rated No. 2 strongside linebacker in California and No. 4 in West by Scout.com.
• Keenan Graham, DE, Las Vegas (Silverado HS) -- Extremely quick, he could be a strongside linebacker if he doesn’t bulk up.
• Todd Golper, LB, Arcadia (Arcadia HS) -- Excellent on pass defense; Scout.com calls him a ‘classic middle linebacker.’
• Jayson Allmond, LB/FB, Fontana (Bloomington HS) -- Ranked the ninth-best fullback by Scout.com.
• Ricky Marvray, WR, Corona (Centennia HS) -- Rated the No. 37 California prospect by Rivals.com.
• Jared Koster, DE, Norco (Norco HS) -- He can squat 550 pounds. Can you?

Richard Brehaut, perhaps the most important UCLA recruit, isn’t signing a letter of intent today. The quarterback is enrolling early so he can participate in spring practice. Because of NCAA bylaws, he will sign an acceptance of enrollment instead. The end result is the same -- he’s a Bruin.

UCLA also has some much-needed help coming in for its offensive line, signing junior college players Ryan Taylor from Texas (Tyler College) and Eddie Williams from Walnut (Mt. San Antonio College).

-- Adam Rose