Kugler said he's going JUCO for linebackers two weeks ago and a solid SAM backer he got. Kalaii Griffin is tall and 220 lbs. athletic and fights through blocks while he was in the seconday for Ventura JC. I seriously doubt Kugler puts him as a safety, but if Cockrell goes down (two years ago he was out the entire season and he did hurt late this season) Griffin should fill in nicely. Griffin should give Alvin Jones and Dante Lovilette some much needed help because once you got past those two, it was off to the races for the opposing team. Alvin is just UTEP's straight up Mike backer and is the defensive qb, Lovilette is more of Will backer and adding Griffin for the weak side to help against teams like Army, La Tech and Rice because he is that perfect size, speed and quickness and does not appear to be afraid to lay the hit on big backs. UTEP will need him big time for the first half of the schedule because OU, NMSU and Army have strong running games.
This is a solid thumbs up recruit for UTEP and the defensive staff and I don't know how Kugler does it, but his commits stay committed. But then again, Kugler's recruiting has been good, he just can't get more "W's".