Alabama Crimson Tide
Can UCLA land elite 2016 duo of Tagaloa and Asiasi?
Alabama Crimson Tide

Can UCLA land elite 2016 duo of Tagaloa and Asiasi?

Published Feb. 1, 2016 3:57 p.m. ET

2016 recruits Boss Tagaloa and Devin Asiasi are about as close as a pair can be without actually being related. 

Hailing from the famed De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., the two elite prospects have yet to make their respective college decisions. It comes as no surprise that there's considerable crossover in terms of which final schools are in the running for their services. 

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Tagaloa is looking at UCLA, Washington, Michigan, USC, and Cal. Asiasi is also considering UCLA, USC, Michigan, Washington, and Alabama at this point. 

With their bond being so close, will they play together in college? 

If this scenario were to unfold, UCLA could have the upper-hand on the competitors. 

Tagaloa has visited UCLA unofficially multiple times, and by all accounts has a strong relationship with the staff. Couple that with the fact UCLA has a massive need for interior linemen, and the Bruins appear to be in good shape with less than two days until National Signing Day on Feb. 3. 

Asiasi is perhaps the wild-card in this scenario. He had been a longtime fan of USC -- particularly because of the relationship he had built with then-USC coach Marques Tuiasosopo. Since, Coach "Tui" has taken a job at UCLA. It led to Asiasi not only taking an official visit to Westwood -- but also considering the Bruins seriously. 

A beast of a tight end, he'd be the perfect fit for what new offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu wants to implement. A turn toward a pro-style scheme seems in the cards. UCLA also doesn't have a true tight end currently on its roster. As such, Asiasi would likely see plenty of early playing time as a true freshman. 

Both Tuiasosopo and Polamalu are also immense figures within the Polynesian community. The relationships and familiarity with Asiasi and Tagaloa's families ultimately could put UCLA over the top. 

If this scenario does come to fruition, UCLA will be landing two very talented players with the potential to impact right away. 

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