Dropping like flies, the UCLA football team lost another starter
after sophomore running back Tyler Ebell became the third player to
be granted a release for transfer this week.
The announcement of Ebell’s departure Friday follows an
already-tumultuous off-season, with both quarterback Matt Moore and
wide receiver Tab Perry also leaving the program.
Rumblings of discontent followed Ebell all season, as the
addition of freshman Maurice Drew caused decreased numbers for
Ebell, who was the leading Bruin rusher in 2002. His father
reportedly met with coach Karl Dorrell to discuss the limited
carries and playing time his son was getting.
Then Ebell decided to sit out for the Bruins’ eventual
loss 17-9 to Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Classic, due to
what he described as a shoulder injury he has suffered from since
high school.
Despite Ebell’s apparent discontent at his lack of playing
time, prior to the Dec. 30 bowl game the coaching staff felt
confident he would stay.
“Me and Tyler, we talked,” running backs coach Eric
Bieniemy said prior to the bowl game. “He’s a happy
camper. Obviously, every player wants to carry the ball, but he
chose this university for a reason. This is where his home is.
Tyler is going to be a Bruin.
“I’m not letting Tyler go anywhere,” Bieniemy
said, laughing. “Even if (transferring) did come up,
I’d put him in a headlock and force him to stay. Things
haven’t gone Tyler’s way, but one thing that he has
done is be a tremendous warrior for us.”
But Ebell, who could not be reached for comment, perhaps not as
happy as they may have hoped, chose to leave UCLA for a school as
yet undetermined, though his choices may be limited.
Having already used his redshirt season in 2001, Ebell would
have only one year of eligibility left if he stayed in Division I,
after sitting out a year as required by the NCAA. Also, he would be
unable to transfer to a Pac-10 school, since that would require a
two-year waiting period and would leave no playing eligibility.
“We certainly wish Tyler the best of luck in the
future,” Dorrell said in a press release. “We hope that
he will find a school that he feels meets his needs.”
With Ebell gone, the Bruins will be very thin in the tailback
position. For the spring practices, Drew will be the only returnee
who saw playing time in 2003, with senior Manuel White, Jr.,
expected to still be recovering from his season-ending broken
shoulder blade.
Junior Jason Harrison will be back, but he was forced to sit out
all season while he recovered from knee surgery. The Bruins could
also utilize freshman Derrick Williams, who redshirted last
season.