Cornerback Matt Ware, once considered the face of UCLA football,
announced Tuesday that he was forgoing his senior year and taking
his game to the NFL.
“After reflecting upon this decision for a long time and
discussing it with my family, I have decided to take the next step
to the NFL,” Ware said in a statement. “This decision
is based primarily on my belief that I am ready to play in the NFL
and information I have received supporting that belief.”
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Ware submitted a
request that his draft status be evaluated by a committee of six
NFL general managers.
Apparently, the answer was good.
UCLA loses a Bruin legacy in Ware. His parents are UCLA alumni,
and it was well known that Ware grew up a Bruins fan.
Additionally, he was hailed as the next big thing to come out of
Westwood. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, 223 pounds, Ware was an answer
to the new trend toward bigger and stronger wide receivers. This
past off-season, Ware added 25 pounds of muscle and was an anchor
on one side of the field defensively.
While picking up 34 tackles and two interceptions this season,
he also was injured during the Arizona game, suffering a severe
ankle injury and hampering his play for the remainder of the
season.
Even worse, after USC wide receiver Mike Williams torched UCLA
for 181 yards in that game’s first half, Williams called Ware
out and vowed to go after him in next year’s rivalry
game.
But any rematch will have to come on Sundays at the next
level.
“Matt has had a fine career at UCLA,” said coach
Karl Dorrell in the same statement. “We were hopeful he would
choose to play his senior year, but he and his family have made an
informed decision, and we support it. We certainly wish Matt the
best of luck at the next level.”
Even prior to Dorrell’s arrival, Ware was considered a
star. The highly rated recruit from Loyola High School started
every game his freshman and sophomore seasons and showed great
versatility, seeing time at safety and quarterback as well as
cornerback. He was expected to be the defensive leader next
season.
“He was our defensive star,” running back Maurice
Drew said. “I can’t say I expected it, but I
can’t say that I’m surprised either. He’ll be
missed, but as a team we have to pick up the slack.”
The early entrance is the latest in a string of departures of
underclassmen from the program. Running back Tyler Ebell, wide
receiver Jacques Lazarus, and quarterback Matt Moore already have
transferred, while Tab Perry has been dismissed due to poor
academic performance.
Ware’s departure does not mean a scholarship opens up for
Dorrell. Ware’s athleticism took him to the baseball diamond,
where he played for the Seattle Mariners farm system, and thus,
paid his own way to UCLA.
Phone calls made to Ware for comment were not returned.