After sitting out the 2003 season due to academic ineligibility,
senior wide receiver Tab Perry will not return to UCLA this spring,
the athletic department announced in a release Thursday. Perry was
given his unconditional release and will enroll at a Division I-AA
school for the 2004 season according to the release, thus allowing
him possibly to play next season. “We were hopeful that Tab
would be able to rejoin the team for the 2004 season, but that
didn’t work out,” coach Karl Dorrell said. “We
will do what we can to help place him at a Division I-AA school,
and we wish him the best of luck in the future.” In 2002
Perry totaled 698 yards on 35 receptions, averaging 19.94 yards per
catch ““ a conference high. He also set a new school record in
kickoff returns with 626 yards on 25 returns, averaging 25 yards
per return. Due to federal and state privacy laws, UCLA was unable
to comment further on Perry’s situation.
WARE FILES PAPERS: According to the Daily News,
in late December junior cornerback Matt Ware filed papers with the
NFL to get his draft status evaluated if he decides to leave UCLA a
year early in pursuit of a career in the NFL. A committee of
approximately six NFL general managers gives players an indication
of their draft prospects. The NFL contacted players after Jan. 1
with their draft forecasts. After the Bruins’ loss to Fresno
State in the Silicon Valley Classic on Dec. 30, Ware declined to
comment when asked whether the loss would be his last game as a
Bruin. Ware is widely considered to be one of the Pac-10’s
best cornerbacks, but he missed three games in the second half of
the season with a high-ankle sprain. Ware has until Jan. 15 to
declare for the draft.
POSTSEASON ALL-STAR APPEARANCES: Six members of
the Bruin football team have been invited to participate in
postseason all-star games this month. Topping the list are
defensive end Dave Ball and defensive tackle Rodney Leisle, who
will appear in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 24. The game, which is held
in Mobile, Ala., is an annual pre-draft event that features the
best senior collegiate footballs players and serves as an
opportunity to be noticed by NFL scouts. On Jan. 17, defensive end
Mat Ball will travel to Maui for the Hula Bowl, and guard Shane
Lehmann will participate in the Las Vegas All-American Classic.
Also appearing in postseason games will be linebacker Brandon
Chillar and defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti. The two will play in
the 78th Annual East West Shrine Game on Saturday in San Francisco.
The game will be played at SBC Park at 11 a.m.