Is something Bruin in recruiting?

You'd might think so the way UCLA has been snapping up local football prospects this week.

Yesterday, the commitments of two Punahou School players, running back Dalton Hilliard and wide receiver Robert Toma, were announced by the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance. Earlier, Kapolei High offensive lineman Stan Hasiak IV, committed to the Bruins.

Quite a week's haul, especially since that's roughly as many as UCLA has gotten from here in the past decade.

Now, having Punahou alum Norm Chow as the offensive coordinator undoubtedly accounts for a lot of the interest. But it also isn't hard to surmise that the Bruins have their eyes on the state's top prospect, Punahou linebacker Manti Te'o.

The Te'o sweepstakes grow more interesting — and more competitive — by the week. USC head coach Pete Carroll was here immediately after the Oregon State upset. The next week Brigham Young announced a series of games with Hawai'i that would, coincidentally put the Cougars here during Teo's days if he chose BYU. Then, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis flew all day for a brief appearance.

Now, UCLA weighs in by the truck load. Only Stanford among the five announced finalists (UH is no longer under consideration) remains to make a splash.

UCLA's plunge is notable in that you can go back 40 years and count on two hands — and still have fingers left — the number of players from Hawai'i who have gone there. Mike Pavich, Steve Hookano, Mark Tuinei and Vae Tata are are among them and all but Tata were in Westwood decades ago. Only Micah Kia is currently on the Bruins' roster.

To be sure Hilliard, Toma and Hasiak are all blue chippers in their own right as the offers coming their way testify. They help fill needs and it is no secret UCLA is in desperate need of precisely the kind of toughening up that Hawai'i players, as Pac-10 coaches sing their praises, can supply.

But it sure can't hurt UCLA's chances to be building a local pipeline, especially when two of the commitments are from Teo's teammates and one of them, Toma, is a neighbor and commuting buddy from the North Shore.

And the Bruins have a lot to offer them: Top notch academics, a chance to play right away and an opportunity to make an impact turning around a marquee program. For Te'o, in addition there is the association with Chow, who is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Speculation has been that BYU is the front runner in the Te'o competition, followed by USC.

UCLA? It could be the dark horse in the derby.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.