Competition for the backup spot to Brett Hundley cleared up a little on Monday, as UCLA football granted redshirt freshman TJ Millweard a release to transfer out of Westwood. Millweard cited the desire for a school with a better personal fit as playing a role in his consideration of a transfer as early as spring, according to the Los Angeles Times. Millweard is currently in Texas, conducting research and outreach for new opportunities at football programs.
At least part of the Midwest and South-bred quarterback’s spirit and roots still seemed present at Tuesday morning practice, with redshirt freshman quarterback Jerry Neuheisel performing air guitar solos to classic rock and country music and redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Hall sporting Millweard’s red no-contact number 14 jersey.
In addition to giving fellow backup quarterback Mike Fafaul more snaps, Millweard’s transfer will have an emotional impact on the redshirt freshman.
“He was one of my best friends. I’m going to miss him a lot, already. He’s going to do great, wherever he goes,” Fafaul said.
Along with Neuheisel and freshman Asiantii Woulard, Fafual competed against Millweard for snaps. According to Fafaul, the potential second-team quarterbacks shared close relationships among themselves.
A red-zone miscue by Fafaul demonstrated the work to come for a quarterback crop that has two remaining scholarship holders. Fafaul never took his eyes off of the left side of the end zone before freshman safety Tahaan Goodman dropped a ball thrown into his hands and earned pushups for the squandered turnover opportunity.
“My read pushed to the field, and the safety was kind of freelancing and he caught me. …It was just a bad read on my part. I was trying to second window it, but it got caught in between,” Fafaul said. “I’ve actually gotten caught on that play a couple of times, but I haven’t had too (many) problems with it. …It’s just something I’ve got to get used to, running the offense.”
Whoever fills the backup quarterback spot figures to earn an enviable position behind the second team offensive line, which Fafaul credited as being a group he can trust against legitimate competition.
“They’ve really proven themselves, done a hell of a job against our defense … we have a great defense, too. They’ve really held strong, ” Fafaul said.
Back inside
Inside linebacker Eric Kendricks practiced “by far” the most he has all summer long, said coach Jim Mora. Kendricks said that “nagging” and “annoying” sensations in his leg motivated him to undergo optional minor ankle surgery four weeks ago, forcing him to miss a majority of fall camp.
The redshirt junior applauded the efforts of the defensive unit during his absence.
“They’re all playing really well. They didn’t miss a step since I’ve been gone. They’re working their butts off just like I am,” Kendricks said.
Redshirt junior Ryan Hofmeister and freshmen Isaako Savaiinaea and Cameron Judge filled in for Kendricks at inside linebacker throughout fall camp.
Though Kendricks believes that he needs to “catch up” a little, he does not feel the surgery has hampered his coverage abilities. The inside linebacker found some work covering inside receivers during the no-contact practice.
Kendricks’ morning included stepping in front of a receiver to bat down a pass toward the right side of the line of scrimmage and sticking closely to redshirt sophomore Devin Lucien on a catch before the wide receiver was able to accelerate away from the defender.
Injury report
Offensive tackle Christian Morris suffered an asthma attack, but Mora expects the freshman to practice tonight.
Sophomore left tackle Simon Goines missed more practice time after hyperextending his right knee last Thursday. Left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo filled Goines’ spot along the offensive line, with freshman Kenny Lacy occupying Su’a-Filo’s normal position.