UCLA Lands No. 1 Recruiting Class In USA

by • Featured Stories

TUCSON, Ariz. — For the second time in history, UCLA has earned the national recruiting championship by Collegiate Baseball for its superb 2021 class.

The Bruins were also ranked No. 1 in 1997. Eight of the top 10 ranked teams this year are from the SEC.

It is the 39th straight year Collegiate Baseball has evaluated NCAA Division I recruiting classes.

Athletes who initially signed letters of intent with a school but then signed a pro contract after being drafted do not count in the overall evaluation. Only athletes who came to school this fall are factored in.

The Bruins landed a class of 20 players, including 16 freshmen, two junior college transfers and two 4-year transfers.

It is the first time since 2016 that a Pac-12 Conference school has earned the No. 1 ranking. That year Arizona St. landed the top class in the nation.

The Bruins have now landed nationally-ranked recruiting classes seven straight years and 15 of the 17 seasons overall under Head Coach John Savage.

“We think this is as deep a class as you’ll find in the country,” said Savage.

“With the quantity and quality of the pitching and infielders coming in, along with a few premier outfielders, this class really covers a lot of areas.

“It covers needs, and brings a number of immediate impact guys to our program. We could not be more excited regarding the future of this class and the impact it will have.”

The newest group of Bruins is headlined by four players ranked inside the top 100 nationally in OF Malakhi Knight (Marysville Getchell H.S., WA), RHP Thatcher Hurd (Mira Costa H.S., CA), INF Cody Schrier (JSerra Catholic H.S., CA), and LHP Gage Jump (18th round pick by Padres from JSerra Catholic H.S., CA).

The Bruins also landed talented transfers from both the 4-year and junior college ranks in OF Kenny Oyama who will join UCLA as a grad transfer after batting .320 for Loyola Marymount last season and RHP Kelly Austin after earning conference Pitcher of The Year honors last spring with Orange Coast College (6-0, 1.26 ERA, 55 Ks in 43 IP).

The class also features standout prep players in RHP Alonzo Tredwell (Mater Dei H.S., CA), RHP Luke Jewett (JSerra Catholic H.S., CA), OF Nick McLain (Beckman H.S., CA, younger brother of Bruin alum Matt McLain), C Jack Holman (Etwanda H.S., CA), and INF Bryce Grudzielanek (Torey Pines H.S., CA).

The class is rounded out by RHP Josh Alger (Roseville H.S., CA) and RHP Nate Leibold (Ballard H.S., WA, who had a 2.19 ERA this summer in the West Coast League).

NOTE: A complete rundown on the top 25 recruiting classes is featured in the Oct. 1, 2021 issue of Collegiate Baseball. A chart also breaks down the top 50 classes in the nation as far as total number of new players for each school and how many freshmen, junior college and 4-year transfers were brought in. A record number of players were landed by ranked teams from the NCAA Div. I transfer portal. To purchase this issue or subscribe, CLICK HERE.

Collegiate Baseball’s
Top 50 Recruiting Classes

  1. UCLA
  2. Florida
  3. Vanderbilt
  4. Arkansas
  5. Oklahoma St.
  6. Louisiana St.
  7. Tennessee
  8. Mississippi St.
  9. Louisville
  10. Alabama
  11. Texas A&M
  12. Miami (Fla.)
  13. Florida St.
  14. Virginia
  15. Clemson
  16. Texas Christian
  17. South Carolina
  18. Georgia Tech.
  19. Texas Tech.
  20. North Carolina
  21. Texas
  22. N.C. State
  23. Southern California
  24. Oregon
  25. Auburn
  26. East Carolina
  27. Oklahoma
  28. Notre Dame
  29. Indiana
  30. Stanford
  31. Oregon St.
  32. Virginia Tech.
  33. Mississippi
  34. Arizona
  35. Duke
  36. Nebraska
  37. Tulane
  38. Long Beach St.
  39. Georgia
  40. Washington St.
  41. Michigan
  42. Arizona St.
  43. Washington
  44. South Florida
  45. Wake Forest
  46. Florida International
  47. Kentucky
  48. U.C. Santa Barbara
  49. Minnesota
  50. Dallas Baptist

Other Top Recruiting Classes: Nebraska, Ohio St., Florida Atlantic, Southern Mississippi, Grand Canyon, Central Florida, Louisiana-Lafayette, California, West Virginia, Northeastern, Connecticut, Fresno St., St. Mary’s, Baylor, Cal. St. Fullerton, Coastal Carolina, U.C. Irvine, UNLV, Creighton, Cal. St. Northridge, Missouri, San Diego St., Fairfield, Stony Brook, Louisiana Tech., Loyola Marymount, Mercer, Rhode Island, St. Louis, Wichita St., Iowa, Pittsburgh, Cal. Poly, Brigham Young, Gonzaga, San Diego, Hawaii, Kent St., Central Michigan, Ball St., Texas St., San Francisco, Missouri St., Seton Hall, Houston, Maryland, Dayton, Cal. Baptist, Butler, Toledo, St. John’s, College of Charleston, Stetson, Kennesaw St., Kansas St., Utah, Western Carolina, Troy, Georgia Southern, Nevada, South Alabama, Memphis, Penn. St., Charleston Southern, Bradley, Samford, Sam Houston, Oral Roberts, North Dakota St., East Tennessee St., Gardner-Webb, N.C. Wilmington, Alabama-Birmingham, Wofford.

Source: Collegiate Baseball

Previous NCAA Div. I
Recruiting Champions
By Collegiate Baseball

2020: Miami (Fla.)
2019: Vanderbilt
2018: Louisiana St.
2017: Vanderbilt
2016: Arizona St.
2015: Florida
2014: Louisiana St.
2013: Florida
2012: Vanderbilt
2011: South Carolina
2010: Louisiana St.
2009: Florida
2008: Arizona St.
2007: Louisiana St.
2006: South Carolina
2005: South Carolina
2004: Louisiana St.
2003: North Carolina
MMMlSouth Carolina
2002: Georgia Tech.
2001: Southern California
2000: Cal. St. Fullerton
1999: Southern California
1998: Georgia Tech.
1997: UCLA
1996: Texas A&M
1995: Arizona St.
1994: Mississippi St.
1993: Miami (Fla.)
1992: Florida St.
1991: Miami (Fla.)
1990: Arizona
1989: Florida St.
1988: Miami (Fla.)
1987: Stanford
1986: Stanford
1985: Hawaii
1984: Florida St.
1983: Arizona St.

Source: Collegiate Baseball