Even with the woes the UCLA defense has incurred this year, Ben
Emanuel II doesn’t feel like he’s getting the credit he
deserves. “I’m second on the team in tackles and 10th
in the Pac-10, so I don’t feel pressured by anybody,”
the senior safety said. “I’m just trying to be better
every week and lead this team like I have every week. I’m
sick of getting overlooked, but that’s how it is.” The
fifth-year senior says he has always been overlooked despite his
solid career at UCLA. Last season, he ranked fourth in tackles and
has become one of the leaders of the secondary this season.
Although Emanuel is second on the team this year with 46 tackles,
he has missed some key tackles and let opposing players drag him up
field at times. Emanuel did show signs of improvement during the
Bruins’ loss at California last weekend where he made six
solo tackles, seven in total, including one for a loss. “He
had a good start, a little bit of a lull in the middle, but then he
had a pretty decent game against Cal,” coach Karl Dorrell
said. For Emanuel, the rest of the season is an opportunity to make
a lasting impact for NFL scouts. “I’m almost out of
here, so I’m going to finish up here, leading the secondary
like I have every year I’ve played here, statistically
speaking,” he said. “I am just going to continue with
that and start my next career.” He began pursuing a
professional career last year when he asked the NFL for feedback
before the draft. Emanuel said when he inquired about the NFL, he
never intended to depart UCLA early for the draft but was merely
looking for advice. “It was just because they offered
it,” he said. “They do that for juniors, and I would
recommend that to any junior, just to see what they’re at. I
just wanted to see what I had to work on.” But still, Dorrell
is looking for more from Emanuel, especially if the safety wants to
pursue an NFL career. “We’re at the point where he
needs to finish up the last five games on a good note in a
way,” Dorrell said. “He needs to have his performance
consistent … if he wants to pursue football at the next
level.”
RAINED OUT: Due to Wednesday’s rain, the
Bruins split time practicing in the Student Activities Center
instead of the usual Spaulding Field. Dorrell said they were able
to throw the ball and participate in seven-on-seven drills.
INJURY REPORT: After limping out of practice
Tuesday, tailback Maurice Drew dismissed any concern, saying it was
just a bad bruise. According to both him and Dorrell, everything is
fine … Receiver Craig Bragg also practiced again and will play,
but not start, this weekend against Arizona State … tackle C.J.
Niusulu practiced as well after sitting out against Cal with an
ankle injury. Dorrell said both lab tests and X-rays were negative,
and Niusulu should be ready to play Saturday.