UCLA Football Makes Last-Second Offer to Elite Kicker Michael James Before Signing Day

The Bruins made an offer to a five-star class of 2022 kicker from Texas who has been racking up offers as of late.

(Photo Courtesy of Michael James/Twitter)

Less than 24 hours away from National Signing Day, the Bruins have made one last push at a potential prospect.

Class of 2022 kicker Michael James picked up an offer from UCLA football on Tuesday, he announced on Twitter. James just finished his senior season at Rockwall High School (TX) and is just now picking up steam on the recruiting trail.

James now has seven offers, all of which have come in the past three weeks, with the others coming from TCU, East Texas Baptist, McPherson College, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Incarnate Word and East Central University. The Horned Frogs hosted James for a visit on Jan. 23 while Southeastern Oklahoma State and East Texas Baptist offered scholarships rather than just a roster spot.

After an amazing conversation with @EthanYoungFB, I’m so excited to announce I’ve received my 7th offer from the University of California - Los Angeles! Go Bruins!!!@CoachBrooks22 @coachBrian_Egan @BFentress @Chris_Sailer @UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/TeriqmHsT3

— Michael James (@michaelwjamess) February 1, 2022

In his first full season as his school's starting kicker, James attempted 10 field goals and hit seven with a long of 52 yards. James attempted 68 extra points and hit every single one of them, meaning he accumulated 89 points in 12 games for a season average of 7.4 points per game.

James also spent some time as Rockwall's kickoff specialist, picking up six touchbacks on his 22 attempts. James picked up a few reps at punter as well, averaging 37.0 yards per attempt with no punts inside the 20.

James participated at Chris Sailer Kicking's camp in July, where he earned a five-star rating and was pegged as the No. 28 kicker in his class. Here is what Sailer, a former All-American at UCLA, had to say about James' showing at the showcase:

Michael is an excellent high school kicking prospect. He is a great looking athlete with a live leg. Michael does an outstanding job on field goal. He kicks with great technique and is smooth and accurate. Michael hits a clean ball off the ground and easily has 55+ yard range. His kickoffs are strong for his class. He averages 65+ yards, with 4.0+ hang time. Also a developing punter. Michael continues to show steady improvement from camp to camp. I expect him to stay on this path. He is well on his way. Look for Michael to have a big senior season picking up college offers along the way. He is a fine young man that is always a great pleasure to work with. One of the hardest workers out there. Strong prospect. OFFER NOW!!!

James measures in at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and was the District 10-6A Special Teams MVP in 2021.

UCLA has had Nicholas Barr-Mira start at kicker the past two seasons. After going 6-of-7 on field goals and 30-of-31 on extra points in 2020, Barr-Mira regressed statistically in 2021 by going 14-of-21 on field goals and 52-of-55 on extra points.

By nature of the Bruins' offense being the most efficient and highest-scoring in the Pac-12, Barr-Mira finished third in the conference in points in 2020 and fourth in 2021.

Between Barr-Mira and RJ Lopez, UCLA already boasts a starting field goal kicker and kickoff specialist, but neither player is on scholarship and there isn't much depth behind them. Chase Barry is joining the program as a preferred walk-on in 2022, but he is primarily a punter.

It does not appear that the Bruins' offer to James included a scholarship, so unless a transfer comes in, they are not in line to give a scholarship to anyone on special teams.

The offer to James, which therefore seems to be a preferred walk-on offer, comes just one day before National Signing Day starts on Wednesday. Walk-ons do not sign national letters of intent, so it isn't as if James has to make his decision on a 24-hour deadline, but he could end up being UCLA's final addition of the recruiting class if he ends up wanting to come to Westwood.

Outside of James' on-the-field prospects and the timeline of the offer, it is also interesting that director of player personnel Ethan Young is the one who ultimately sent the offer.

The Bruins are currently without a special teams coordinator, with former tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Derek Sage signing on as Nevada's next offensive coordinator in January. Sage's replacement at tight ends coach – Duke's Jeff Faris – was not given the special teams coordinator title when he signed with UCLA, so the position is currently up in the air.

Young may be handling special teams recruiting duties while the search goes on for Sage's other replacement, or he may get a promotion or title change in the coming weeks.

Follow Connon on Twitter at @SamConnon
Follow All Bruins on Twitter at @SI_AllBruins
Like All Bruins on Facebook at @SI.AllBruins
Subscribe to All Bruins on YouTube

Read more UCLA stories: UCLA Bruins on Sports Illustrated
Read more UCLA football stories: UCLA Football on Sports Illustrated