Michael

Ezeike

Ezeike (6'5/231) has toggled between tight end and receiver over his Bruins career and was singled out by HC Chip Kelly as having a standout summer camp before succumbing to injury. As a freshman the super-sized wideout appeared in ten games, starting two, finishing the season with 12 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. He hopes to suit up at some point during the truncated season, but it’s looking like that won’t occur when UCLA travels to play Oregon in Autzen Stadium this Saturday.

UCLA has a major hole to fill at tight end with Caleb Wilson now in the NFL, and Ezeike (6'5/231) is one of the candidates for the starting job. Wednesday’s practice was the sophomore’s first since August 3, and while the injury itself is unknown at least he’s back on the field. As a freshman Ezeike appeared in ten games, starting two, finishing the season with 12 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

No word on what Ezeike might be dealing with at this time, nor when the 6-foot-5, 231-pounder might be ready to rock once more. With Caleb Wilson no longer on roster, the sophomore has an opportunity to carve out a role after posting a 12-136-2 receiving line as a true freshman. He initially signed on with the program as a four-star recruit in the 2018 class.

Ezeike (6'5/210) will also be heading out to UCLA in the near future. Both the Ducks and Bruins are in his top-seven, as are fellow Pac-12 outfits USC, Utah and Arizona State. Michigan and Texas A&M round out his list of favorites. Scout.com ranks the Ontario, California, native as the No. 302 overall prospect in the 2018 class and outlet analyst Greg Biggins expects him to be “a huge weapon in the red zone” and “that clutch 3rd down pass catcher/security blanket all quarterbacks love.”

Ezeike (6'5/210) is being recruited as both a tight end and a wide receiver. He shed some light on how Utah views him, passing along that “Coach (Guy) Holliday, the wide receivers coach, said he sees me as a mismatch receiver so basically an outside and an inside receiver not really like a tight end but a slot.” Michigan and Texas A&M are both possibilities for official visits later this season. He’s also intrigued by Arizona State. Rivals ranks the Ontario, California, native as the No. 47 receiving prospect in the 2018 class.

Ezeike (6'5/210) indicated that he would still be interested in the Aggies even if HC Kevin Sumlin receives the axe at the end of the season. He previously has taken officials to Utah and Arizona State, with Oregon, UCLA, Michigan and USC also very much on his radar. Rivals ranks Ezeike as the No. 47 overall prospect in the 2018 class.

Ezekie (6'5/210) is fresh off a weekend official to Arizona State for their victory over Oregon. The Ontario, California, native described that visit as a “blast.” UCLA, Oregon and USC should be considered dark-horse candidates for the pledge. He has potential as either a tight end or wideout and his frame makes him a natural candidate for red-zone work early in his collegiate career.

Ezeike (6'5/210) had been committed to Oregon up until early December, when he opted to reopen his recruitment. He has since taken official visits to Ole Miss, UCLA and now USC. He had actually been scheduled to visit the Rebs again this weekend, but nixed that trip to check out the Trojans. Ezeike could see early work in his collegiate career as a red zone target given his big frame, but even beyond that, he has the blend of physicality and speed that should make him a matchup headache.

If he does, indeed, put himself back out on the market, Ezeike would be the third four-star recruit to back off his Ducks pledge since Oregon HC Willie Taggart accepted the open position at Florida State earlier on Tuesday. Utah, Arizona State, UCLA, Michigan and USC were all under his consideration before he committed to Oregon this fall and should be considered prime programs to watch at this juncture. Ezeike ranks as the No. 178 overall prospect for the 2018 cycle on Rivals.

Ezeike (6'5/210) stands as the biggest fresh signing on Wednesday for the Bruins, who had otherwise had a relatively quiet signing day in terms of landing previously uncommitted prospects. The former Oregon pledge offers up a palatable frame for early red-zone work. He’s a physical prospect who possesses more than enough speed to impact the game as a move tight end. On the 247Sports composite board, Ezeike lands at No. 260 overall in the 2018 class. Even without making a huge dent on Wednesday, we love what Bruins HC Chip Kelly has done on the trail over the course of just two months since taking over the reins of the program.