From the moment Alterraun Verner stepped on the field for the first time as a UCLA cornerback in 2006, he has made a significant impact.
In his first game, Verner intercepted two passes, one of which he returned 34 yards for a touchdown in the Bruins’ 31-10 victory over Utah.
Thus, it seems only fitting that in his final game at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Verner intercepted a pass and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown in UCLA’s 23-13 win over Arizona State.
Heading into his final game as a UCLA Bruin this Saturday against cross-town rival USC, the senior from Carson answered questions from the Daily Bruin’s Andrew Howard about everything from football to computer animation and what his past four years have been like.
Daily Bruin: What are your thoughts as you enter the end of your senior year?
Alterraun Verner: My thoughts are that I can’t believe it’s almost over. I’ve been living a fantasy by playing and being part of the UCLA Bruins. It’s a dream come true, and it’s one I got to wake up from.
DB: What has your experience at UCLA been like?
AV: My experience has been one of a kind at UCLA. I have been exposed to many things, the good and the bad here. The social life has been outstanding with partying with friends, movie premieres and bonfire weeks. Football has been great, and I will never forget my experiences here. I got a great education and learned many values to life.
DB: Go back to the first game of your freshman year against Utah. In that game, you had two interceptions. Did a thought of “This is easy” cross your mind?
AV: No. I never had that thought. It might have seemed like it, but I got beat a couple times that game, so I was grounded immediately.
DB: You’ve had a lot of experience with returning interceptions for touchdowns. What’s it like? What goes through your head?
AV: It’s no greater feeling than to take an (interception) back for six! You know it helps your team, and you get to score. Nothing goes through your head except get to the zone as fast as you can. You get tunnel vision.
DB: Biggest thrill/most memorable football moment?
AV: Biggest thrill was the win against USC in 2006.
DB: Is there a moment you can think of that you wish you could have back?
AV: To be honest, nothing. Everything happens for a reason, so if it was a bad moment, it helped in the development of me as a player and person.
DB: Your bio lists computer graphics as a hobby. What do you do?
AV: I did computer animation at my high school, where I learned to animate, and it was a real fun opportunity for me.
DB: It also lists acting. What kind?
AV: Before high school, I did some commercials and other auditions. But high school football took over time, and I wasn’t able to continue it. I tried out for “Soul Food” (the TV series) and multiple food and car commercials.
DB: Favorite place to eat in Westwood?
AV: That’s a great question. I like many places; I like Gushi and Ami Sushi. Third is BJ’s.
DB: If you can tell, was there anything crazy you did on a road trip?
AV: I haven’t done anything crazy; I’m pretty reserved on road trips.
DB: If you weren’t playing football, what would you be doing?
AV: If I wasn’t playing football, I would try to play football or run track. If not an athlete, I would be hopefully still attending UCLA, being a math major with a science emphasis with chances to intern and get a job opportunity.
DB: How do you balance such a tough major with such a rigorous football schedule?
AV: It’s very hard. I don’t know how I do it either, to be honest. It took a lot of sacrifices and giving up on some enjoyments to be successful. But it’s been worth it so far.
DB: How was filming the UCLA commercial?
AV: The UCLA commercial was such a fun experience and an honor to do. Just being able to collaborate with such great Bruins and being able to be the first current student to be spotlighted. The editing, the setting and everything was wonderful, and hopefully I get a chance to do it again.
DB: What’s one thing about yourself that not many other people know?
AV: That I am a big fan of tennis, and I wish I could play it. I like watching Wimbledon, the French Open, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open.
DB: Best and worst movie you’ve seen recently?
AV: Best movies I’ve seen recently are “Law Abiding Citizen” and “This Is It.” The worst movie is “Dragonball Evolution.” I’m actually a big “Dragonball Z” fan, and the movie didn’t do it justice.
DB: Do you have a specific pregame routine?
AV: I didn’t really have a pregame ritual. I usually listened to at least “Lose Yourself” by Eminem and “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor. Then start warming up for the game 30 minutes before the team goes out.
DB: Have you ever beaten anyone on the team one-on-one in basketball?
AV: Yes, I have.
DB: Plans for your future?
AV: I have plans of being an NFL player in some way, shape or form. Play as many years as I can and then settle down being a teacher and coach for a high school, hopefully at my alma mater, Mayfair High.
DB: Describe yourself in one word.
AV: Blessed. That’s how my life (has) been. Blessed. God has blessed me with the physical and mental capacity to achieve everything I have so far.
DB: Thing you’ll miss most about UCLA?
AV: I will miss the guys on the team the most. The brotherhood we had and all the fun times we had together. I will miss walking around the campus, going down Bruin Walk, walking by the Bruin Bear, going up Janss Steps and looking down at the campus from the top. I will miss attending the games as a student athlete, and the Greek life and the whole atmosphere. It will be true for me that I will always be forever a Bruin.
E-mail Howard at ahoward@media.ucla.edu.