Half a dozen former UCLA football players will be sitting
eagerly by their phones and televisions this weekend, awaiting some
sort of decision as to where their futures lie.
In the seven rounds of the 2004 NFL Draft held over a two-day
period, the fates of what is projected to be three or four Bruins
will be determined.
Heading the class will be cornerback Matt Ware, who decided to
make the early leap to professional football. Ware, one of the top
potential cornerbacks this year, is projected to be a late first or
early second-round pick and also could be picked up to play as a
safety.
“I’ve been doing this too long to know that any
predictions are foolish,” Ware’s agent Don Yee said,
who reluctantly did add he and his client are hoping to see a
first-round pick.
At 6 feet 3 inches tall and 215 pounds, Ware offers incredible
size and athletic ability for his position, and during the UCLA Pro
Day held in March he ran the 40 in 4:48.
Also projected to be a solid draft choice is defensive end Dave
Ball. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, 277 pounds, Ball led the nation in
sacks last season and is thought to be a natural pass protector.
Ball has been battling a bad left calf, which prevented him from
participating in Pro Day and is seen as only fair on the athletic
side. The San Diego Chargers appeared to show interest in Ball,
with coach Marty Schottenheimer in attendance at Pro Day. He is
projected to be picked in the middle rounds of the draft.
Also hoping to be drafted are tackles Rodney Leisle and Ryan
Boschetti and outside linebacker Brandon Chillar. Leisle, the
highest rated of the three, had problems returning from the high
ankle sprain he sustained last season and underwent surgery for a
bone spur in late March. During Pro Day, Leisle impressed scouts
from Denver and Green Bay with his intensity where the
6-foot-3-inch, 309-pound tackle showed off his willingness and
resiliency.
Meanwhile, Chillar (6 feet 3 inches, 253 pounds) had a very
impressive Pro Day workout and improved his status, especially
after what scouts said was a rather poor showing at the combines.
According to his agent, Jim Ivler, Chillar is hoping to go as
somewhere between the third and fifth round and has the Kansas City
Chiefs very interested.
Boschetti (6 feet 4 inches tall, 306 pounds) on the other hand,
could go later, between the fifth and seventh rounds, and the New
Orleans Saints have shown significant interest in him.
Ivler, who represents both Chillar and Boschetti, credits
another of his clients, Bruin alumnus Ricky Manning, for helping
him see the potential in the two.
“Neither of the two were rated very high coming into their
senior year,” Ivler said. “But Ricky told me he
didn’t care about rankings and that he had seen them play and
new what was there.”
After getting both players to sign with him, Ivler brought them
to New York to work out and train for the combine and helped
prepare them for the demanding interviewing process.