UCLA moves up for linebacker

UCLA continues to move up the list for Woodson Greer and although the Bruins haven't offered yet the Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra outside linebacker said he hopes they do soon because he's interested.

"I'm really liking UCLA right now," Greer said after Serra's 34-7 victory Friday night. "I like UCLA. They're looking at me but they just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I hope they pull the trigger because I like them a lot."

If UCLA offers, Greer said it would move to the top of his list. Arizona State still leads for Greer, a three-star prospect rated No. 92 in the California state rankings by Rivals.com, but an offer from the Bruins would make things much more interesting.

It's believed UCLA would surpass its Pac-10 foe and take over the lead in his recruitment once an offer arrives.

"It would mean they'd be at the top of my list," Greer said of the Bruins. "I like where UCLA is going and the changes they're making.

"With the USC sanctions, UCLA is making up ground and being that power that recruits in Los Angeles and the Pac-10 team that recruits best in Los Angeles is usually the best team in the Pac-10. I like where they're going. I like Arizona State too and they're ahead of UCLA right now because they offered."

Michigan and San Jose State have also offered Greer, but the powerful 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect would probably prefer to play in the Pac-10. That's why UCLA has such a good chance of landing his commitment if the Bruins offer. If not, it looks like Arizona State is the frontrunner.

Greer had a standout performance in Serra's season-opening victory against Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame Friday night. His best play came in the first quarter when he leveled a Notre Dame wide receiver on a middle screen.

A flag was thrown on Greer for a personal foul but it looked like the Serra linebacker hit the wide receiver with his shoulder pads first and there was no helmet-to-helmet contact. Either way, it was evidence that Greer can hit opponents really hard and he was especially aggressive from his linebacker spot.

Now he's hoping more schools - especially UCLA - takes notice.

"That play messed me up for the rest of the game," Greer said. "I got kneed in the leg and I got a big knot so it was tightening up. It was hard for me to play but I fought through it.

"It's something I became good at, it's something I study a lot with the screens and the middle routes and so my studying just puts me in position to make good plays and some hard hits."