Day three of preseason camp started out hot and got even hotter, hitting a high of 108 degrees.
Compounding the day’s difficult conditions, today was the first day UCLA practiced in shoulder pads, which led to three casualties to the heat – freshman wide receiver Kenny Walker, redshirt senior linebacker Patrick Larimore and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Tre’ Hale all had to be treated – but almost 10 total had to take time off the field.
Here are some notes from today’s practice:
Redshirt junior wide receiver Shaquelle Evans, redshirt sophomore running back Jordon James, redshirt freshman running back Steven Manfro and redshirt sophomore running back Melvin Emesibe practiced returning punts with Evans fielding with the first team.
Defensive back Ishmael Adams is getting a lot of time as a nickel back and is a likely candidate to play as a true freshman.
Fellow freshman Kenny Orjioke was moved to working with the linebackers.
The offensive line is a work in progress. The first team from left to right was sophomore tackle Xavier Su’a-Filo, redshirt junior guard Greg Capella, redshirt freshman center Jake Brendel, redshirt senior guard Jeff Baca and redshirt senior tackle Brett Downey. Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm has worked them particularly hard in conditioning.
The linebacking corps is becoming more and more impressive by the day. Junior linebacker Jordan Zumwalt has had his way with the offense, consistently breaking through the line for sacks and tackles for loss.
Redshirt sophomore safety Tevin McDonald did not participate because of heat-related issues from the day before. Senior Dalton Hilliard filled in for him at the starting free safety position.
Freshman kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn went 4-6 with a long of 38 yards. His last attempt, a 42-yarder, was blocked by redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Eric Kendricks.
The highlight of the day came from a hang glider making an emergency landing right next to the field after departing from Lake Elsinore.
Compiled by Chris Nguyen and Jacob Ruffman, Bruin Sports senior staff.