Changing of the guards
A primary goal for the UCLA coaching staff this spring was to
address the offensive guard positions vacated by seniors Brian
Polak and Oscar Cabrera.
While senior center Troy Danoff and junior tackles Bryce
Bohlander and Mike Saffer will be returning to the unit, depth is
an obvious concern for UCLA, having suffered problems with injury
on the line in the past.
Sophomore Shane Lehmann and junior Blake Worley were the
returning favorites to fill the two vacancies at guard, but in
recent practices redshirt freshmen Eyoseph Efseaff and Paul Mociler
have played well enough to get consideration from the coaches.
“All of the guys have had their moments in the past few
weeks, so I think (Saturday’s) scrimmage will determine who
will start next season,” Offensive Coordinator Kelly Skipper
said.
The Bruins will conclude their spring practices this Saturday in
a scrimmage open to the public from 1-3 p.m. at Drake Stadium.
Youngsters making marks
An upside to missing DeShaun Foster for spring practice because
of the recent surgery he had on the little finger of his left hand
is that future Bruin backs Akil Harris and Manuel White are
receiving increased reps at practice and have had a chance to
improve their game.
Both running backs will be imposing backups to Foster next
season.
Harris, a sophomore, played behind Foster and Jermaine Lewis
last season and is expected to be the primary backup at running
back next year.
White redshirted last season, and his work in spring drills this
year has impressed coaches. An All American in high school, White
has the ability to pound the ball through defenders with his big
frame (6-foot-3, 240 pounds).
“White hasn’t made very many mistakes this spring,
and we’ve been very pleased with his performance,” said
Skipper, who coached the running backs last season. “For a
big guy, he’s definitely proved that he has some mobility,
and we’re trying to find a place for him in the
fall.”
Sidelined
Marques Anderson became one of the first UCLA casualties of the
spring football season, spraining his ankle after 295-pound
defensive tackle Rodney Leslie stepped on his foot. Anderson will
miss the remainder of spring practices, including Saturday’s
scrimmage.
Notes compiled by Joshua Mason, Daily Bruin Reporter.