Just over a year ago, UCLA tight end Keith Carter suffered a
horrific motorcycle accident which forced him to sit out the entire
2003 season with a dislocated and fractured right hip. Last week,
he finally received medical clearance to participate with the team
once again. After a relatively successful freshman year, Carter, a
junior, was slated to start last season before the accident. Should
he return to form this fall, Carter could add needed depth for the
Bruins at tight end. Currently, Marcedes Lewis holds the starting
spot, but Carter could easily challenge backups Matt Raney and J.J.
Hair. Carter has flirted with a comeback before. In October, he
attempted to play again after being cleared to practice for several
weeks and even dressed for a game, but never saw any playing time.
Then it was discovered Carter’s hip was not receiving enough
blood and as a result, he underwent a second surgery. Since then,
he has been relegated to the sidelines and sat out the entire
spring practice sessions.
BYU CUT FROM SCHEDULE: Due to scheduling conflicts, Brigham
Young University has decided to cut a four-game series with the
Bruins in half, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. With the addition
of Texas Christian to BYU’s Mountain West Conference, the
Cougars were forced to take out two future games against UCLA from
their schedule. The two schools will still play each other in 2007
and 2008.
WALK-ON: As a member of Piedmont High School’s winning
team in the 39th Annual Leonard J. Waxdeck Bird-Calling Contest,
Brandon Paris was asked to appear on the Late Show with David
Letterman last week. During the show Paris, son of former NFL
All-Pro Bubba Paris, announced he will be walking on the UCLA
football team. Last season, Paris rushed for 1,754-yards and scored
22 touchdowns for Piedmont.
PRE-SEASON AWARDS WATCH: Junior Marcedes Lewis was listed as one
of 26 preliminary contenders for the John Mackey Award for the Best
Collegiate Tight End, the Nassau County Sports Commission announced
last week. Lewis started eight games last season and made 30
receptions for 377-yards with three touchdowns. The award will be
decided in early December.
SUMMER PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The football program announced its
preseason practice schedule last week. Beginning Wednesday, August
11 the Bruins will practice daily until Aug. 15, as part of the
NCAA acclimatization process. Then, starting Aug. 16, the Bruins
will begin two-a-day practices which will continue until Friday,
Aug. 27. As per new NCAA rules instituted last season, all schools
will be prohibited from having two practices on back-to-back days.
All practices will be held on Spaulding Field, but times have yet
to be determined. They will be open to the public until the Bruins
begin preparation for their first game against Oklahoma State.