Wake up, football fans.
UCLA spring football practice is just three weeks away. The Bruins, equipped with a revamped coaching staff, will take to Spaulding Field for the first time Thursday March 31.
Because spring practice is open to the public, you can bet UCLA fans will be out in full force to catch a glimpse of a new offense led by offensive coordinator Mike Johnson and a new defense led by defensive coordinator Joe Tresey. Brett Hundley, a five-star quarterback recruit, will also be on display at just 17 years old.
But several Bruins won’t be flashing their game at Spaulding because of injuries. Most notably, rising-redshirt junior linebacker Patrick Larimore will not be participating at all in spring practice as he rehabs surgery on his left shoulder.
Rising-redshirt junior quarterback Kevin Prince, the UCLA starter for half of the 2010 season will be limited to non-contact participation.
Rising-redshirt junior defensive end Datone Jones and redshirt senior center Kai Maiava, who both missed all of the 2010 season, have been cleared to participate fully in spring practice.
A full listing of injury updates can be found below. All listed players are expected to return for fall camp.
Not participating:
QB Darius Bell: Off-season surgery on left shoulder (labrum).
DE Keenan Graham: Off-season surgery on left hip.
OG Casey Griffiths: Back issues.
S Dalton Hilliard: Off-season surgery on right knee to remove loose body.
CB Anthony Jefferson: 2010 surgery broken left foot.
WR Jerry Johnson: 2010 surgery on left ankle fracture.
LB Patrick Larimore: 2010 surgery on left shoulder (labrum).
P Jeff Locke: Off-season surgery on right hip (labrum).
Limited to non-contact participation:
QB Nick Crissman: 2010 right shoulder surgery (labrum)
WR Shaquelle Evans: 2010 season surgery on left shoulder.
LB Jared Koster: 2010 season surgery on right shoulder
QB Kevin Prince: 2010 right knee surgery (individual drills only)
Cleared to participate:
DE Derrick Bryant: Right shoulder
F-back Robert Franco: Left shoulder
LB Todd Golper: Back
DE Datone Jones: Foot
C Kai Maiava: Left ankle
DB Brandon Sermons: Leg
DE Iuta Tepa: Right shoulder
F-back Damien Thigpen: Right shoulder
TE John Young: Left shoulder.