UCLA NOTEBOOK: RECRUITS LIKE WHAT THEY SEE.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

UCLA's superb recruiting class is quickly becoming one for the ages.

The Bruins are expected to receive commitments from Notre Dame High School tailback Justin Fargas, San Diego linebacker Robert Thomas, the best defensive prospect in the state, and Tucson's Mike Saffer, the best offensive lineman in the West.

All three visited campus last weekend. Final decisions are expected in the coming weeks.

Thomas, from Imperial High School in San Diego, told Student Sports Magazine that he and Fargas will announce their intentions at a joint press conference, that they will attend the same school, that they are leaning towards UCLA and have eliminated USC.

Fargas, who took two unofficial visits to UCLA last week, said he has made no decisions.

``I was with Robert this weekend (at UCLA), but we didn't talk about a press conference,'' Fargas said. ``When I do decide, I plan to let everyone know at once. I have not eliminated USC. My four schools are UCLA, Michigan, SC and Northwestern. I'm going to keep all my options open, but I'm very interested in UCLA.''

Saffer's commitment is expected this week, according to a source close to the situation. His father, Don, played for John Wooden in the 1960s and roomed with Mike Warren and Lucious Allen.

UCLA received three oral commitments over the weekend, bringing its total to 16. Letters-of-intent cannot be signed until February.

Ken Kocher, a defensive tackle from San Diego Patrick Henry, picked UCLA over Michigan and fills the Bruins' greatest need. He is considered one of the top two interior defensive linemen in the state. Palmdale's Matt Leonard, who was on campus Monday, is the other.

Dallas Skyline tackle Steve Morgan, 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, is UCLA's fifth and final offensive lineman (including Saffer).

Claremont High School defensive back Audie Attar chose UCLA over Florida and Colorado. His friend, Lovell Houston of Denver, is the nation's No. 1 strong safety and lists UCLA and Washington as his finalists.

The Bruins also landed Randy Hakes, who attends Mesa Community College and is considered the nation's No. 1 junior college tight end.

``The best recruiting class in the West is UCLA's to lose,'' said Brentt Eads, who tracks recruiting for Student Sports.

The search is on: Toledo hopes to hire a replacement for defensive coordinator Rocky Long (the new head coach at New Mexico) as soon as possible, but he will not jeopardize staff chemistry for expediency.

``I'm looking for a good coach who's a good person,'' he said. ``I want someone who will mesh well with the staff because we have good harmony. I don't want a guy who has a lot of his own ideas and thinks he's going to change everything.''

Toledo, who wants to continue the aggressive, blitzing style Long implemented, did not rule out promoting a current staff member. A source said the interview process has begun.

Moving on? Long is expected to hire graduate assistant Grady Stretz as his defensive line coach, a source said.

Stretz played defensive tackle for UCLA from 1992-95 and has impressed the coaches with his enthusiasm and insight.

Going nowhere: UCLA's top juniors, quarterback Cade McNown and safety Larry Atkins, say they have no plans to enter the NFL.

Atkins hinted that he might ask the NFL's draft advisory board for a projection of his draft position, but his inquiry will end there.

``Either way, I'm still going to be here next year. It's just good to know,'' he said.