As expected, Brian Price announced plans to leave UCLA for the NFL at a press conference Wednesday morning.
The junior defensive tackle leaves UCLA after three seasons of anchoring the defensive line for the Bruins. Price led the Bruins this season with 23.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.
Among a host of other awards and nominations, Price was named first team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and SI.com.
“It was a difficult decision to make,” Price said. “I talked to my coaches and my family and I have decided to forgo my senior season at UCLA.”
With the Bruins losing Price, a major cog in the defensive line this year, in addition to the graduation of Korey Bosworth and Jerzy Siewierski, coach Rick Neuheisel has a new front line to build with sophomore Datone Jones as the only returning starter.
“Congratulations to Brian Price for an unbelievable job well done,” Neuheisel said. “He worked hard and did everything we asked him to do here. While we would like to have him at UCLA next season, we understand the decision.”
Price added he considered staying in Westwood to earn his degree and to improve his play, but, after discussions with his parents and coaches, he decided it was time to move on.
The last Bruins to be chosen in the NFL Draft were Bruce Davis, Matt Slater and Chris Horton in 2008.
Pac-10 makes scheduling changes
In an effort to gain more television exposure for its member institutions, the Pac-10 conference changed a number of game dates and times. The changes also ensure no Pac-10 team plays more than 12 games on 12 straight weeks.
The UCLA-Stanford game will be pushed up to Sept. 11, being broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2. The Bruins home game against Houston will be moved to the following Saturday, Sept. 18.
UCLA’s road game against Texas remains on ABC and will be either a 12:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. broadcast but has been moved to Sept. 25.
UCLA’s Week 8 game at Oregon will be moved to Thursday, Oct. 21, and will be shown on ESPN, while the previous week will be the Bruins’ first bye.
UCLA will visit Arizona State the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.
Compiled by Farzad Mashhood, Bruin Sports senior staff.