For a UCLA team that has had a high frequency of concussion-like symptoms in players over the last two weeks, the last thing it needed was more of the same from its best defensive player.
Roughly halfway through Tuesday night’s full-padded practice at Spaulding Field, senior outside linebacker Anthony Barr appeared to sustain a hit to the head in 11-on-11 team drills, which left him in a sitting position for some time. After being helped off the field by members of UCLA’s training staff, Barr rubbed his temples and doubled over on the sidelines, appearing to vomit before being removed from the practice field altogether.
Coach Jim Mora did not address the media after the practice and no official word was given on Barr’s status, though he appeared to be suffering concussion-like symptoms. No indication was given as far as how much time Barr might miss. Were Barr to be ruled out for UCLA’s first game on Aug. 31, sophomore Kenny Orjioke and freshman Myles Jack would be the most likely candidates to take over outside linebacker duties.
Tuesday’s practice marks UCLA’s final open practice of the season, with the Bruins beginning preparation for their home opener against University of Nevada, Reno on Wednesday.
Secondary building confidence
In a full-coverage goal-line drill on Tuesday night, UCLA’s secondary was noticeably more fired up, keeping the Bruins’ offensive package, which includes senior defensive end Cassius Marsh as a receiver, mostly at bay.
Noticeably improved on the night was redshirt senior safety Brandon Sermons, who provided tight coverage throughout the drill. Continuing a trend of effectively limiting the receivers entering his coverage island was sophomore cornerback Fabian Moreau, who made one of the goal-line plays of the night when he jumped up to knock away a pass intended for 6-foot-4-inch Marsh.
Moreau has seen the lion’s share of the reps at starting cornerback opposite sophomore Ishmael Adams, and has shown his ability to cover the team’s most athletic receivers, including redshirt senior Shaquelle Evans.
Defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin said the young up-and-comer and likely starter has developed “lightyears” since he converted from running back a year and two weeks ago, but things really clicked back in April.
“In spring ball, that’s where I could really see it,” Martin said. “I could see that he grasps the position. He has the cosmetic part of it down. He looked a little awkward at first when he came from running back, as anybody would, but now he has that part down. He’s always been a smart football player.”
Martin said he first noticed Moreau’s potential at defensive back after he watched him cover a few of the team’s receivers when players were “joshing around” after a practice last year.
“He has super long arms and he’s very powerful,” Martin said. “I was like, ‘Hey man, why don’t you come over in my room. We’ve got a guy named Johnathan Franklin and some other guys (at running back), (so) It might be hard for you to get those touches and I might have more touches for you on my side.’”
Entering his second season with the UCLA football program finally solidified in a position, and with talented freshmen like Priest Willis “nipping at the butt” of he and Adams for a starting cornerback job, according to Martin, Moreau said he came into fall camp in San Bernardino with the mentality that he would hold nothing back.
“I felt like, if it wasn’t now, it’s not meant to be,” Moreau said. “So I was using this as my only opportunity to get better and make an impression.”