Harwell's long wait is about over

Brigham Harwell, a former Los Altos star who is now at UCLA, returns to the football field this season.

This is expected to be a special Labor Day for former Los Altos High School football star Brigham Harwell, who is now at UCLA.
Sept. 1 is the day the Bruins open the 2008 season with a home encounter against Tennessee at the Rose Bowl. But it's also signifies the end of Harwell's long wait. The senior missed all but one game last season. But now he's ready to return.
"I really can't wait for the season to start," Harwell recently. "Last year was very difficult for me. I had never missed a season. My Saturdays were spent watching UCLA on TV, and not playing.
"I'm really excited about the year. I've worked real hard, getting my timing, watching film and just preparing to perform on Saturdays."
And the general consensus is that he will not only perfom on Saturdays, but do it quite well. He is considered to be one of the top players at his position, not just in the Pac-10, but in the nation as well. He begins the season on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the top lineman in the country.
"I don't think there's any question that to play great defense, you have to be able to create a pass rush and disruption with your front four," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "When you have the benefit and advantage of a guy like Brigham to start your defense, it's a nice place to start. It gives us hope to be a very, very strong defense."
Now Harwell is ready for a banner season, and the view from here says he will have one.