Todd Golper (May 11, 2008), currently ranked #185

 
N2FL:  At what age did you start playing football?
 
T.G.:  Well, I believe I started playing football in the third grade. My school district has six elementary schools. Each school has a flag football team. I was the starting quarterback the minute I started playing in 3rd grade against 5th graders. I didn't play tackle until my freshman year.
 
N2FL:  When and who was your first scholarship offer?
 
T.G.:  UCLA was my first scholarship offer on February 4th, 2008.
 
N2FL:  How many scholarship offers do you currently have?
 
T.G.:  I currently have 3 officially written scholarship offers and two verbal offers before the commitment to UCLA. My coach has been telling everyone I'm solid to UCLA (which I am).
 
N2FL:  What was your favorite college team growing up?
 
T.G.:  I grew up a UCLA fan with my father having season tickets since the 1970's. I've been attending games since I was about five years old.
 
N2FL:  Have a favorite NFL Team?
 
T.G.:  San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
 
N2FL:  Do you try and emulate any specific player?
 
T.G.:  I believe I try and emulate the greatest of players at my position. Zach Thomas and Brian Urlacher are the first to come to my mind. Zach Thomas isn't the biggest player, but has a big heart and is a very intelligent football player. Brian Urlacher has the physical qualities which I try and work for but also has the tenacity and work-ethic to consistently improve and attack the ball carrier with violence.
 
N2FL:  Any particular reason for the jersey number?
 
T.G.:  My brother Brian was my role model growing up and he wore #18. I decided to wear it in honor of him as people around Arcadia know the Golper's as #18.
 
N2FL:  You committed to UCLA in early March, why did you decide to end the process so early?
 
T.G.:  I went to a Rivals 5-Star Academy event and listened to a guest speaker. I don't exactly remember who it was but I listened intently to what he had to say because I was always told everyone has something positive to offer and it is just a matter of what you take out of their advice which will make you that much better. The man spoke that if you come across that perfect school, with great academics, prestigious program, etc... everything that you look for in a school. Jump on it. Don't wait. UCLA has been my dream school as long as I can remember and felt like it was home. I wanted to secure my spot at UCLA because I know that it's easier for my parents who are looking to retire (I am the youngest of 3 boys) and I live 15 minutes from the Rose Bowl as well as 45 minutes from UCLA.
 
N2FL:  What were some of the considerations when choosing your school?
 
T.G.:  I looked at the location of the school. It's important that its in a safe area. I considered the system. UCLA's defensive system is very similar to the one I run in high school. My head coach even took some of the same terminology and blitzes from Coach Walker at UCLA. I looked at the academic prestige. Alumni connections. Student life and academic support. I believe the biggest card for me was the question, "Where am I going to be happiest and end up being successful?"
 
N2FL:  Are there any schools who continue to recruit you despite your commitment?
 
T.G.:  I know Stanford was very, very interested but I think they finally realized how solid I was to UCLA. I still get e-mails everyone once in a while and coaches coming by to see if I'm solid but UCLA is the place I've wanted to go for as long as I can remember.
 
N2FL:  Who was your lead recruiter at UCLA?
 
T.G.:  Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker was my lead recruiter. I was fortunate enough to have his son, Kevan, attend Arcadia for the last two years and have gotten to know the Walker family very well. Kevan and I have grown to be close friends and spent a lot of time together. I've been over to the Walker's house many times and am very familiar with him which made the process so easy.
 
N2FL:  Despite your pledge to the Bruins, will you take any "official visits" anywhere else?
 
T.G.:  It would be fun to see the other schools. I'm not 100% sure if I will or will not take any. I will be speaking it over with my family to decide whether I take any trips.
 
N2FL:  Was there another school(s) in consideration before you pulled the trigger on the Bruins, and what was it about UCLA that ultimately sold you on them?
 
T.G.:  The other school that I was very interested in and really liked was Stanford. Coach Harbaugh and Coach White (DB's coach) are both fantastic people and great coaches. I really grew to have a good relationship with Coach White and appreciate all the time he spent getting to know me. I went to Stanford's junior day and saw what they had to offer. I really enjoyed the campus and the rising program there but I didn't feel it was the right place for me. UCLA's student life and academic support was what ultimately sold me as well as the fantastic coaching staff Coach Neuheisel has assembled . UCLA is unlike any other place I've ever been, it has an aura about the school that is unmatched.
 
N2FL:  What do you view as some of your playing strengths?
 
T.G.:  I feel that my playing strengths are my instincts, reading ability and overall knowledge of the game. I absolutely love football. I spend hours and hours watching films and just trying absorb everything about the game. Physically, I believe I stay square to the line of scrimmage very well and know how to bend down the line on blitzes.
 
N2FL:  What are some things you would like to work on between now and college?
 
T.G.:  I would definitely have to say everything. There isn't one single thing I am perfect at and could work on everything there is. I believe taking on blockers and shedding blocks would be a #1 priority on the field. Off the field, my core strength could always improve as well as my initial lateral movement and first-step explosiveness.
 
N2FL:  What Linebacker positions are you being recruited to play?
 
T.G.:  I am being recruiting to play the "mike" linebacker position. Vanderbilt looked at me as an "H" back because of my receiving ability and size.
 
N2FL:  Where does UCLA plan on playing you?
 
T.G.:  UCLA plans on playing me as a "mike" linebacker but to also have the option of playing fullback for them. I played fullback my sophomore year and excelled there so they know I have that ability.
 
N2FL:  How do you feel about Redshirting?
 
T.G.:  I don't mind. If anything I look at it as a positive thing. I try and stay positive in any way. Whatever is best for the program is best for me. I know I want to get on the field as early as possible but it would help me to redshirt as well.
 
N2FL:  Do you have a major in mind?
 
T.G.:  I'm interested in business economics or political science. It's hard to choose because I'm not entirely sure what I want to pursue once I get out of college. I'm sure once I enter college I will have a better idea as to what I would like to go into.
 
N2FL:  What are your goals for your senior season?
 
T.G.:  My goals are to win at least 7 games so my coach will get to 100 wins in his career at Arcadia. I also would like to beat two particular schools as I have not beaten them in the two years they have been on our schedule. I don't have any personal goals because I just want to win in any way possible. I know that if I play well, it will give us a better chance to win.
 
N2FL:  Have you communicated with any prospective recruits about attending UCLA with you?
 
T.G.:  YES! I am constantly trying to give kids the breakdown on the advantages of going to a school like UCLA. Commit Byron Moore and I are trying to take up the "recruiters" stance amongst other recruits and persuade them to come. One nice thing about UCLA is that a lot of the kids that get offered from there are ones from around California so it's not hard to communicate and see one another.
 
N2FL:  Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
 
T.G.:  I would have to say my brothers Matt and Brian as well as my mother, Leslie, and my father, John. All four have been very influential in helping mold the person I am today, teaching me values and morals that sometimes go unseen in today's society. I have to say my head coach, Jon Dimalante has always been a leader for me as well as my trainer, Dave Lutzier and my Rabbi, Alan Lachtman. I have been blessed and fortunate to have had so many good role models in my life, steering me in the right directions. My friends have had a big impact in my life as well.