Alterraun Verner makes an interception in UCLA’s 2009 game against Tennessee.
09/12/2009 — Knoxville, TN — Junior defensive tackle Brian Price celebrates after sacking Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton in the third quarter of UCLA’s 19-15 win over the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium.
Rahim Moore
Redshirt senior defensive tackle David Carter, seen here during UCLA’s 34-7 loss against California on Oct. 9, will play in his last game as a Bruin on Saturday.
Years they started playing for UCLA
2003
Maurice Jones-Drew,
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones-Drew had his most productive season in the league this year, amassing 1,606 yards on the ground and averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Jones-Drew found himself in the end zone eight times as well. Jones-Drew led the entire league in rushing while also breaking the Jaguars’ franchise records for both rushing yards and yards from scrimmage.
His performance landed him both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Jones-Drew played for the Bruins from 2003 to 2005, and was named an All-American all-purpose back.
Matthew Slater,
New England Patriots
Matthew Slater was the only Bruin to play in Super Bowl XLVI as a member of the New England Patriots. Slater was a jack-of-all trades for the Patriots, serving as a wide receiver, safety and special teams captain. Slater led the Patriots in special teams tackles with 17 in the regular season. Slater’s presence was also felt returning kickoffs as he returned four times for 68 yards, averaging 17 per return.
As a receiver, Slater found himself on the end of a 46-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady. He also was a force as a safety, starting three games there. Slater was named to the 2012 Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team as a special teams player. He played for the Bruins from 2003 to 2007, redshirting his first year.
2006
Alterraun Verner,
Tennessee Titans
A three-year starter at cornerback for UCLA, Verner was a lockdown corner who earned All-American acclaim from freshman to senior year. Verner racked up 279 tackles as a Bruin and 13 interceptions including five his senior year.
The star corner was then selected in the fourth round of the 2010 Draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he was quickly turned into a starter.
He stepped up big-time and led all NFL cornerbacks in tackles as a rookie and this past season he had another solid year.
Verner totaled 47 tackles and one interception while adding eight pass breakups.
David Carter,
Arizona Cardinals
David Carter was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. The defensive tackle made the active roster for the Cardinals and made appearances throughout his rookie season. Carter collected 16 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Carter represented the Bruins from 2006 to 2010, redshirting his first season at UCLA. In his final season as a Bruin, Carter had 3.5 sacks, good for third on the team, and 5 tackles for loss, also good for third on the team. He made a splash at the East-West Shrine Game, putting his name on the NFL radar and eventually on the draft board.
2007
Brian Price,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the most dominant forces to wear a UCLA jersey in the past decade, Price was a consistent cog in the middle of the Bruins’ defense for three years. As a junior, Price had 41 tackles, 23.5 for a loss and seven sacks while being named Pac-10 defensive player of the year.
Price then left for the NFL, where he was drafted in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately for Price, a strange medical condition caused him to undergo several surgeries reattaching his hamstrings to his pelvis.
Akeem Ayers,
Tennessee Titans
Ayers was selected in the second round of the 2011 Draft by the Tennessee Titans as the 39th overall selection. Ayers had a prolific season, starting all 16 games as a rookie.
He posted 76 tackles and two sacks throughout the season, including an impressive game against the to-be offensive rookie of the year, Cam Newton, and the Carolina Panthers where Ayers had seven tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection.
In his senior season, Ayers collected numerous national accolades, including second-team All-American honors and first-team All-Pac-10.
2008
Rahim Moore,
Denver Broncos
Moore was one of UCLA’s top athletes during his time at UCLA. The safety led the nation in interceptions as a sophomore with 10 and finished with 14 in his career.
Moore left UCLA a year early and was rewarded by being drafted in the second round by the Denver Broncos. Moore was immediately penciled into the starting lineup with future NFL Hall of Famers Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey. Moore did encounter some injuries and eventually lost his starting job but he played in 15 games, adding 31 tackles, two pass deflections and one interception.