Redshirt freshman running back Steven Manfro tries to make his way around the block of redshirt junior linebacker Keenan Graham.
True freshman cornerback Marcus Rios has been taking classes at UCLA for less than three weeks, but he spent most of Tuesday’s practice running with the first-team defense.
This was not necessarily by design.
Injuries along a thin defensive back corps had thrust him into a larger role than most anticipated.
Redshirt sophomore cornerback Anthony Jefferson and fellow redshirt junior defensive back Brandon Sermons also received increased playing time with Sermons, who even saw the field as a safety.
Senior cornerback Sheldon Price, who started at the corner position for the past three years, and redshirt sophomore safety Tevin McDonald are the only two regulars who haven’t caught the injury bug.
“I’ve been in Marcus’ ear because he is in the same position I was when I got here. I had (Alterraun) Verner telling me what to do so I’m just trying to be that guy,” Price said. “They’re working hard and you can see the improvement. Marcus is improving every day, AJ too; it’s good to see those guys grow.”
While the injuries have been rampant throughout seven practices, coach Jim L. Mora still considers his roster size a luxury.
“I’m used to playing with 53 guys, so to have this many is like double what I ever had,” said Mora, who was an NFL head coach for four seasons.
“This is like a kid in a candy store for me to have all these players.”
MAN-fro
While redshirt senior running back Johnathan Franklin figures to get the majority of touches out of the backfield, redshirt freshman Steven Manfro has made it clear he deserves a look.
The diminutive running back, who is listed at 5-foot-11 but is probably closer to 5-foot-9 in shoes, has been one of UCLA’s top playmakers throughout spring practice.
Whether it’s running between the tackles or taking swing passes out of the backfield, Manfro has made the defense look simply silly on multiple occasions. Mora and the staff as a whole have taken notice.
“Every day he comes out here and does something really impressive,” Mora said. “Every day I’m looking and (asking) “˜What is he going to do today?’ And he doesn’t disappoint.”
Manfro, whose only other Division I offer out of high school was Wyoming, is trying to take advantage of every rep he gets to earn time on the field come fall.
“I’m trying to come out here and work my hardest,” Manfro said.
“I’m trying to prove to people that I could play on this level and for whoever doubted me, I can show them that I can play on this level. I am a D-I player. “