University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Prepares for 1998 Season
June 18, 1998
LOS ANGELES - A year ago, UCLA's aggressive defenders forced 40 turnovers and the Bruins ranked second nationally in turnover margin. The Bruins return five players who started five games a year ago, plus a host of youngsters, who will be looking to continue the turnover tradition. UCLA will have a slightly different look in 1998 with a 3-4 alignment, but will maintain its aggressive attitude and again blitz from anywhere on the field.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Junior PETE HOLLAND (6-3, 270), who enters Fall camp listed No. 1 at right end, is the veteran of the group. He started seven games, including five of the last six, in 1997 and finished the year with 16 tackles. He is a tenacious competitor who improved throughout the season and established himself as an anchor in the middle of the line during Spring drills.
True sophomore KENYON COLEMAN (6-5, 275) has the potential to become a dominating college lineman and demonstrated his ability throughout Spring Practice. He will enter the season as the starter at left end. Kenyon (Ken-YON), a talented athlete with tremendous upside potential, appeared in all 12 games off the bench a year ago and finished with 15 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
Third-year sophomore MICAH WEBB (6-5, 267) enters Fall camp as the front runner at nose guard. Last year, he appeared in nine of 12 games and was credited with three tackles.
JOSH WEBB (6-6, 280), a third-year sophomore, will push Coleman for playing time at left defensive end. This young player gained valuable experience a year ago as a redshirt freshman, making nine tackles in eight games. Third-year sophomore TRAVOR TURNER (6-4, 247), whose strength is rushing the quarterback, will compete with Holland at the other defensive end position. The fastest of the linemen, he also played well during Spring drills.
Senior VAE TATA (6-3, 256) will be attempting a comeback after two and one-half years on the sidelines. He missed the latter portion of the 1995 season and all of 1996 due to a knee injury and all of last season due to injuries suffered during a car accident. He will compete for playing time at left end after serving notice during Spring Practice that he intends to be a factor this season.
Redshirt freshman STEPHEN SUA (6-1, 246) will compete with M. Webb for playing time at nose guard. He did a fine job on the scout team a year ago. Two walk-ons, third-year sophomore KORY LOMBARD (6-1, 280) and redshirt freshman SCOTT HECKMANN (6-3, 247), will add depth.
An added bonus for the Bruins is the return of senior end JAYSON BROWN (6-4, 260). In April, the NCAA granted him a rare sixth year of eligibility (he missed two seasons with injuries). Although he did not participate in Spring drills, he will compete for playing time this Fall. He made six tackles in five games before being sidelined by a knee injury a year ago.
Five incoming freshmen will try to catch the collective eye of the coaching staff at the beginning of Fall camp. ANTHONY FLETCHER (6-3, 275), earned prep All-America honors and was considered on of the top five linemen in the West at San Dimas High. KEN KOCHER (6-4, 292), a first-team USA Today All-American, was SuperPrep's Far West Defensive Player of the Year at Patrick Henry High. SEAN PHILLIPS (6-5, 270) earned Parade All-America honors at Dulles High in Texas. He was considered to be one of the top six linemen in the nation after making 64 solo tackles, including 10 quarterback sacks. DOUG WHITING (6-2, 260) earned All-America acclaim at Pittsburg High and RUSTY WILLIAMS (6-4, 232), a fourth prep-All-American, was considered one of the top six linemen in the West at Vista High. All five figure to have bright futures with the Bruins.
"Our defensive line really came on for us last year and I think this unit has the potential to do the same thing," said Toledo. "It's a young unit, but I feel we are bigger and more athletic than in the past. I would expect we will again have solid performances from our linemen. Pete is a quality player, Kenyon is a rising star and our other guys are good college players. I also think there's a chance that a couple of our freshmen could make a contribution this season."
LINEBACKER
In 1998, the Bruins will utilize two inside and two outside linebackers. The linebackers will be asked to offer run support, blitz the quarterback and cover backs. This will be a young group with just two seniors among the candidates for playing time.
BRENDON AYANBADEJO (6-2, 234) is the most experienced performer and will enter his senior season as the starter at right outside linebacker. Last year, his first as a starter, he led the team with 15 tackles for losses. A fine all-around athlete with an aggressive attitude, he finished the year with 41 tackles, second only to Larry Atkins and Marques Anderson among the returnees. He figures to contend for post-season honors as the leader of the linebacking corps.
On the left side, junior MICHAEL WILEY (6-2, 234) emerged from Spring Practice as the starter. However, he will have to fight off the challenge of redshirt freshman SANTI HALL (6-2, 243). A reserve linebacker and special teams performer a year ago, Wiley made 13 tackles, including four for losses, and scored a touchdown on a 24-yard interception return. He is a fine all-around athlete with good speed and an aggressive attitude. Hall impressed the coaching staff with his aggressiveness as a member of the scout team a year ago and played very well during Spring Practice.
Junior ALI ABDUL AZZIZ (6-2, 224) and redshirt freshman ED STANSBURY (6-2, 240) will compete for playing time behind Ayanbadejo on the right side. Both are good athletes who practiced at other positions a year ago - Abdul Azziz at safety and Stansbury at quarterback. Third-year sophomore BILLY PIEPER (6-2, 213) will add depth.
Junior RAMOGI HUMA (6-1, 223) and true sophomore TONY WHITE (6-1, 235) are the leading candidates for the two inside linebacker positions. Huma, in his fourth year in the program, is a fast, aggressive performer who made 15 tackles as a reserve a year ago. White earned some playing time as a true freshman and impressed the coaches with his overall athletic ability, making seven tackles in limited opportunities. Both performed very well during Spring drills, solidifying their holds at their respective positions.
Redshirt freshman RYAN NECE (6-2, 203), a hard-hitting youngster, has been moved from safety and will provide depth behind Huma at one spot. Senior CHEYANE CALDWELL (6-1, 242), a gifted athlete, has moved from fullback and will compete with White on the other side. Walk-on junior JEFF MOORE (5-11, 219) could provide added depth.
Two incoming freshmen will also have the opportunity to earn playing time this Fall. ROBERT THOMAS (6-2, 225), a first-team USA Today All-American, was considered the nation's top prep linebacker at Imperial High. As a senior, he made 214 tackles, including 10 quarterback sacks while establishing himself as one of the nation's top five prospects at any position. ROB KOLACZYNSKI (6-2, 225), from Pennsylvania's Canon-McMillan High, was a member of PrepStar's Dream Team and was considered to be one of the top linebackers in the East after making 104 tackles as a senior.
"Brian Willmer, Danjuan Magee and Jason Nevadomsky will be tough to replace, but I feel we have some very talented players who have been waiting for their opportunity to play," Toledo said. "What we lack in experience, we will make up with athletic ability, aggressiveness and youthful exuberance. Brendon is an impact performer who combines strength and speed. Michael and Ramogi have both helped us on special teams and appear ready to contribute to the defense as starters. Cheyane gives us an additional quality performer with some playing experience.The younger players all run well and have developed our aggressive mindset. Both of our freshmen will also have a chance to earn playing time."
SECONDARY
One full-time starter and two players who started five games apiece highlight the secondary.
Senior LARRY ATKINS (6-4, 228) established himself as perhaps the top strong safety in the nation and a frontrunner for the Jim Thorpe Award during his breakthrough 1997 campaign. A superb all-around athlete who can run, hit and cover, he was responsible for nine turnovers a year ago - six interceptions to lead the team and three fumble recoveries and two blocked field goals. He was one of six semifinalists for the Thorpe Award and earned second-team All-America honors in his first season as a starter. He finished the year with 44 tackles, most among the returnees, to go with his nine turnovers.
True sophomore MARQUES ANDERSON (6-0, 182) and true junior JASON BELL (6-1, 177) are the leading candidates for the two starting cornerback positions. Both players started five games in 1997. Anderson, who earned first-team Freshman All-America acclaim, has fine speed and coverage skills. He made 42 tackles, second only to Atkins among the returnees, and ranked third on the squad with three interceptions. Bell, who started the final five regular-season games and showed continued development throughout the season, possesses good size and speed. He made 18 tackles a year ago.
Junior ERIC WHITFIELD (6-1, 201), redshirt freshman JASON STEPHENS (6-2, 193) and senior TOD McBRIDE (6-2, 203) will compete for the free safety position vacted by Shaun Williams. A year ago, Whitfield started twice at rover and finished the season with 31 tackles, including two quarterback sacks. Stephens is a raw talent with tremendous upside potential who impressed the coaches with his hitting ability a year ago as a member of the scout team. McBride made a switch from receiver to the secondary a year ago and gives the area another experienced player. He is also a contributor on special teams (he blocked a punt which was returned for a touchdown last season). Redshirt sophomore JASON ZDENEK (5-11, 191), who saw limited action last season, will also compete for playing time.
Senior DuVAL HICKS (6-1, 207), junior RYAN ROQUES (6-0, 190) and third-year sophomore DAMIAN ALLEN (5-9, 170) will all be competing for playing time. Hicks, a strong safety, saw action as a key reserve and special teams performer last year and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Allen, who has outstanding speed, appeared in all 12 games a year ago. He returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown and made 19 tackles on the year. Roques made a transition from tailback to cornerback last season and made five tackles in limited action. Several walk-ons - including safety JOEY STRYCULA (5-11, 188), who also holds for all place kicks, and RON ALLEN (6-0, 192) - could add depth in the secondary.
Four talented freshmen could also add depth this season. LOVELL HOUSTON (6-1, 175), a first-team USA Today All-American and Parade All-American, was considered to be the nation's top two secondary prospects a year ago. As a senior, he made 80 tackles and six interceptions, including three for touchdowns, at Jefferson High in Colorado. AUDIE ATTAR (6-0, 176) a hard-hitting prep All-American, made 97 tackles at Claremont High. JOE HUNTER (5-11, 170) deflected 20 passes while earning All-America acclaim at Vacaville High and JULIUS WILLIAMS (6-0, 180) earned All-West Region honors while playing both defense and offense at Tustin High.
"We lost some valuable seniors in Shaun Williams, Javelin Guidry and Wasswa Serwanga," Toledo said. "We feel that Larry Atkins is the best safety in America. He is an unbelievable athlete who always seems to be around the football. He can also play either safety position, giving us flexibility in the backfield. I believe one or two freshmen could make an impact this season."