How is Perez doing? Do you see any problems in the punting game because of the new snapper? Does he have the potential to be a Ray Guy candidate??
Perez has had a very good camp, with better hang time and distance on his punts. I think the new snapper (Christian Yount) will prove to be better than Riley Jondle. As for as being a Ray Guy candidate, I don’t think so.

what is the buzz around campus with cory primm, and michael cybulski's addition to the cross country team? How are they looking towards getting ready for there season opener in nevada? you going to make the trip?
I cover football and men’s basketball, so maybe you can tell me about the buzz.

So what IS the deal with Brian Price? We're all eager to see him take the field, no doubt. Do you know what the issue is and when/if he will be cleared? In a semi related matter, how is it that Pete Carroll is able to call the NCAA and complain about the clearing issue ... and get results (I believe all of their Freshmen are now cleared), whereas one of our top recruits is now potentially weeks away from being able to practice?
Price’s situation is very complex, and I know pretty much everything that is going on with it. However, like I stated above, the family has asked me not to get into the details of what is going on, and I will respect that. I think it could be another two to three weeks before anything is settled. As for Pete Carroll, the situation, as I understand it, with Brice Price is much different than anything USC was dealing with when it came to clearinghouse issues.

Do you read the L.A. Times sports section? Do you believe they are slanted towards SC in terms of positive stories? I find your paper and the O.C. Register as balanced in terms of the coverage of SC and UCLA. Do you beat writers ever discuss the balance of other papers?
I don’t read the USC stories in the L.A. Times.

After observing a few practices, do you have a different opinion for UCLA prospects this year? Do you ever go out to observe our opponents practices (USC)? If so, can you draw any comparisons?
Different opinion compared to what? There are eight scholarship freshmen in camp right now, and none look ready to play. I never go to USC because the two schools usually practice at the same time, and when they don’t, I don’t feel like going to two practices. I try to have a life, after all.

What's the latest on remaining scholarships for the upcoming 2008 class? What's going on with Hamani Stevens, D. Scott, K. Prince, A. Carroll, etc. What about Polk who is allready committed to SC and has been seen at our practices? Who are some other 2009 recruits who can potentially committ in the next coming months?
UCLA is sitting tight on scholarships and will likely do so for a while. As far as the players you ask about, it’s the same as it was last week. UCLA is in contact with them. Polk, I am told, could be getting ready to pull back from USC. As far as 2009, who the heck knows at this point?

Brian, the L.A. Times (Bill Plaschke) seems to agree with what I wrote in your blog a while back. The people at UCLA who say they "did not know" about Eric Scott's past are not being truthful - did you read Plaschke's column? Do you agree with what he's saying?
We’ve been through this a zillion times. I will stay with what my sources are telling me. In the column in question, it was hypothesized UCLA may have known. I don’t guess, I don’t hypothesize. I report what I’m told from trusted people, and don’t try to draw inferences from things. At this point, believe what you want.

How does Aaron Whittington look at LB? Is it certain he will start?
Whittington has had a strong training camp. He looks quicker and more confident. Barring an injury, he will start. That was decided in spring ball, as defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker told me at the time.

you mentioned the starting 22 are set....and have been since before the start of camp. doesn't that send a bad message about competiton? compare UCLA to SoCal...
In my mind it doesn’t. The starters are clearly better than the guys on the second string. Trust me, if someone on the second string was good enough to start, this staff would make it happen. Since I’m not at USC, I cannot compare.