Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Thomas Patton was dismissed
by the university for academic reasons, a UCLA spokesman announced
Tuesday. Patton, an Oakland native, appeared in nine games and
recorded three tackles this past season. He will try to re-enroll
at UCLA this summer after making up coursework at a junior college,
the spokesman indicated. Patton did not return phone messages left
for him. Besides graduating seniors, Patton is the ninth player to
leave the program this off-season. There are no returning starters
on the defensive line, and losing Patton hurts the unit’s
depth.
NEW COMMITS: UCLA received its first two verbal commitments for
the 2005 recruiting class Tuesday, when quarterback Osaar Rasshan
and offensive lineman Jesse White expressed their intentions to
join the Bruins. UCLA will likely look to develop Rasshan as its
future quarterback, as he will be a true freshman during current
starter Drew Olson’s senior season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound
junior at Pomona Garey High School, is athletic enough to be
effective in the air and on the ground. White, a 6-foot-3,
285-pound junior at Mullen High School in Denver, is considered by
many to be the premier prep player in Colorado. His father, Leon,
briefly played in the NFL, but is better known as professional
wrestler “Vader.”
AXMAN HIRED: Steve Axman, UCLA’s
offensive coordinator last season, was hired Monday by Washington
as its wide receivers coach. Axman did not return to the UCLA
coaching staff, citing philosophical differences with coach Karl
Dorrell in running the West Coast Offense.
With reports from Jeff Eisenberg and David Regan, Bruin
sports senior staff.