Spring Ball starts today
UCLA Spring football practice begins today and is open to the
public.
UCLA returns only half of its starters. The six returners on
offense are senior quarterback Cory Paus, junior wide receiver Tab
Perry, senior offensive tackles Mike Saffer and Bryce Bohlander,
sophomore guard Steve Vieira and junior Eyoseph Efseaff.
On defense the Bruins return senior tackle Rodney Leisle, junior
end Dave Ball, sophomore outside linebacker Brandon Chillar,
seniorcornerback Ricky Manning and sophomore cornerback Matt
Ware.
“This should be a very interesting Spring for both the
players and the coaches,” head coach Bob Toledo said in a
statement. “We lost half our starting team, including several
multi-year starters, from a year ago and I expect the competition
for those positions will be extremely intense.”
At tailback, senior Akil Harris and sophomore Manuel White will
compete to replace All-American DeShaun Foster. Harris rushed for
375 yards last season, averaging 4.9 a carry, and White had 290
yards. However, they may also see competition from redshirt
freshman Tyler Ebell.
Although UCLA returns its starting quarterback in Paus, he will
compete with redshirt freshman John Sciarra.
“We hope and expect that Cory will return to the form he
showedduring the latter half of his sophomore season,” Toledo
said in a statement. “He had to deal with several issues a
year ago and we expect that he will show us during the Spring that
his problems are behind him.”
Paus ranked fifth in the Pac-10 in 2001 with a 132.8 effficiency
rating.
On defense, the Bruins lost both safeties but will move Ware to
free safety in place of Marques Anderson, although Ware may return
to corner. Junior Joe Hunter is the front-runner for Ware’s
spot. but will compete with sophomore Matt Clark and junior Keith
Short. At strong safety, sophomores Ben Emmanuel II and Jibril
Raymo will compete for the strong safety position, but Emmanuel
will not participate in spring practice due to off-season surgery
on his left shoulder.
At linebacker, senior Marcus Reese will start at middle
linebacker replacing Pac-10 defensive player of the year Robert
Thomas. Senior Audie Attar is the front-runner for the weak-side
position.
On the defensive line, junior Mat Ball, junior Asi Faoa and
Rusty Williams will compete for Kenyon Coleman’s spot at left
end, opposite Dave Ball. The left tackle position opposite Leisle
is open to transfer Ryan Boschetti and seniors Steve Morgan and
Sean Phillips.
Spring practice lasts four weeks, culminating in a scrimmage
April 27.
Compiled by Hannah Gordon, Daily Bruin Reporter.