May 2008 Archives

Ten UCLA women and the 4X400 relay team qualified for the NCAA nationals. Here is the release from UCLA:

UCLA football player Darius Savage was one of nine members of the men's track and field team to qualify for the national championships. Here is the release from UCLA:

UCLA's men's golf team brought the school its third national title this month, and the 103rd NCAA national championship in school history by winning the event today at Purdue.
The women's tennis and women's water polo teams won NCAA titles earlier this month.

By now, at least during my five seasons covering UCLA, the offseason passing program was well underway with player-run 7-on-7 sessions being conducted a few times a week.
However, new offensive coordinator Norm Chow has a different philosophy, and it is more mental than physical during this part of the offseason. The players are watching film and studying the playbook, as well as doing conditioning drills.
The 7-on-7 passing sessions won't begin for a few weeks still.

UCLA red-shirt freshman tight end Nate Chandler is recovering from a sprained arch, which had him walking around with his foot in a boot. However, it's not a long-term injury and he should be ready for summer passing drills.

This is from UCLA, where a pair of Bruins qualified for the national championships, and football player Darius Savage is in a wait-and-see mode.

Here is a release regarding the men's golf team leading the NCAAs heading into the final round.

Thanks for all the questions. It's always great when there is this much interest, and I enjoy answering them. Now, here is the final set for this week:

Here is the ninth set:

Here is the eight set of answers:

Here is the seventh set:

Here is the sixth grouping:

Here is the fifth set:

Here is the fourth grouping:

Before getting to the third set of questions (and there are 10 sets), just wanted to let you folks know to give a lookout Monday for a special video segment I'm preparing (ok, my wife is doing it since I'm technologically inept) for the blog. I don't want to give away too much, but I think everyone will enjoy it.
(Yes, this is a classic tease, but at least it could perk up your Monday).
Now, here is the third installment:

Here is the second set:

The volume of questions I received this week are what I expected when I returned from vacation last week. There were lots and lots of them, so I thank you for it.
That said, let's get right to the questions. Here is the first set of what I anticipate will be at least 10 sets of answers:

The NCAA West Regional Championships are at Cal State Northridge Friday and Saturday, and UCLA has a bundle of athletes competing. Yes, this is where you qualify for the nationals.
Here is something put together by UCLA's Stephanie Sampson about the school's participants:

Last week at the Big Throwers Classic in Salinas, UCLA senior All-American Greg Garza threw an Olympic "A" standard in the discus, a personal-best throw of 211-8. It qualified him for the the U.S. Olympic Trials June 27-July 6 in Eugene, Oregon. It also means if he finishes in the top-3 at trials, he is makes the U.S. Olympic team and will compete in Beijing later in the summer.

One thing I continually hear as I talked to various sources is USC commit Randall Carroll, a receiver at Los Angeles Cathedral, continues to be interested in UCLA. Although he remains committed to USC, several people I spoke to this week said UCLA is highly involved in the process.

I know I've blogged numerous times about Kevin Prince arriving at UCLA for August training camp, as long as the school has a scholarship to offer. Here is what Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel said about it.
"I would say I would do it in a heartbeat if I had the scholarship,'' Neuheisel said. "I'm looking through the numbers, and right now the priority is to get offensive linemen, and so I can't say he's definitely coming.''
As I've written about lately, I'm hearing UCLA expects to have a scholarship available for Prince.

A few weeks ago, while I was on vacation, there was quite a bit of chatter about UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel using the (USC assistant) Brandon Carroll walk-on video in recruiting against the Trojans.
In talking to my sources, they did not think Neuheisel used the video, or pointed it out to recruits, nor did Neuheisel tell his assistants to use the video to shed unfavorable light on the Trojans.
That said, the sources did not know if any of UCLA's assistants used the video to recruit negatively against USC.

UCLA softball players Anjelica Selden and freshman Gionna DiSalvatore were named first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Americans. Here is the release:

UCLA tennis players Mathieu Dehaine and Riza Zalameda were named spring Scholar-Athletes of the Year by the Pacific-10 Conference. Here is the release:

Joe Abunassar, who runs Abunassar Impact Basketball and is training Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, said UCLA will get a much better offensive player if Mbah a Moute returns for his senior season.
"With Luc, it's footwork, being square (to the basket) and a lot of repetition,'' Abunassar said. "If he can knock down shots, he becomes a really dangerous pro player because he's got the long arms, can defend, has the body, he's smart.
"We're working out four or five hours a day shooting the ball, and confidence comes from that. ...The UCLA coaches, they're thrilled with Luc putting the work in because they're supportive of Luc, and if he does come back, he's a better player anyway. It's a win-win."

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper on Kevin Love readying for the NBA draft, and a sidebar I wrote on Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Love said his plans for watching the NBA are undetermined, but he knows what he wants to do.
"I'm hoping to be in New York,'' he said. "The NBA invites you, and I'm pretty sure I'll be there. It's an experience. It's something you watching when you're young."

From my understanding, UCLA is still waiting for J'mision Morgan's signed scholarship papers. Once signed and returned, it binds UCLA to Morgan, but Morgan remains free to change his mind and go to another school until attends his first class at UCLA.

One thing I kept forgetting to post from the weekend was how UCLA signee Kevin Prince, the quarterback out of Crespi High, was a huge hit at the Steve Clarkson event in Santa Barbara.
In talking to a few people about Prince's performance, they said he looked the best out of the quarterbacks in attendance.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said injured quarterback Patrick Cowan will wait until August to have the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee repaired, but Neuheisel added he hoped Cowan would still want to be around the program in the fall despite being out for the season.
"I'm hopeful that he'll come back and be hungry enough to be a student assistant for us,'' Neuheisel said. "That's one of those things where you're not sure how a student is going to handle (not being able) to play and still be around it. We'll have to wait and see."
Cowan was UCLA's starter until late in spring practice, when he injured his knee during a non-contact drill in the next to last practice.

This is from UCLA:

I spoke to UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel recently, and he said Ben Olson heads into training camp as the starting quarterback, which isn't a surprise, but it does not mean Olson will be the starter come the season opener.
"I think Ben goes into camp as the guy, but that doesn't mean that (it's done)," Neuheisel said. "You've got a lot of guys that have to show they can play, so there is going to be opportunities for others to step to the front."
Kevin Craft will be the backup and Chris Forcier and incoming freshman Nick Crissman could play their way into position.
"We all know things can change quickly (because of injury) so we all can't sit back and act like it won't,'' Neuheisel said. "Let's hope Ben does terrifically, but if Ben isn't able to go, we have to have somebody else ready to go."

Send in some Q's by Friday 8 a.m., and the A's will appear throughout the day.

Not only did North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson visit UCLA last week before the dead period began, but he also visited USC and met with the coaching staff there.
I know not much information is getting out about Stepheson and his status, but the family is trying to keep this from being a circus and is trying to remain low-key about it.

Here is another release from UCLA regarding a select-o-seat event this weekend at Pauley Pavilion:

Here is a release from UCLA about it's True Blue Celebration on June 7:

I am hearing UCLA is working very hard to secure a graduate school scholarship for center Alfred Aboya in case he decides to return for his senior season.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he had to make sure a scholarship was available before he could definitively say Crespi High of Encino quarterback Kevin Prince would enroll in the summer and participate in August training camp.
However, I'm hearing there could be a player (or three) leaving the program after the spring quarter, which would free up scholarships and ensure one was available for Prince even if JUCO offensive lineman Donovan Edwards accepts a scholarship to UCLA.

In case you missed it enjoying the Memorial Day weekend, here are a couple of stories I wrote that were in the newspaper -- on on Kevin Love hiring an agent and another on Luc Richard Mbah a Moute being invited to the pre-draft camp in Orlando.
Now, here is the list of participants for the camp, which begins tonight and runs through the week.

Here is the link to the item I wrote for the newspaper about Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Richard Brehaut committing to UCLA over the weekend.
One other thing he said was that is high school offense, which ran the spread and worked out of the shot gun last year, was returning to a more conventional offense this year, which he believes will help his transition to UCLA in 2009.
"I'll be under center a lot more, and that's what UCLA is going to do, so it's good I'll be doing it my senior year,'' Brehaut said. "We did it my sophomore year, and then last year to the spread last year. In the grand scheme of things, it's better (to be under center).''

UCLA's baseball team finished the season winning six of eight, including Pacific-10 series wins against Washington State and Cal, to reach the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins are the No. 2 seed in the Fullerton Regional.
Here is the release from UCLA:

Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Richard Brehaut said he's been a long-time UCLA fan, so the minute he received a scholarship offer, he was going to take it.
"I'm beyond excited, I'm so pumped up,'' Brehaut said. "A lot of my friends and family were always for USC, and I don't know, I just grew a love for UCLA and it's been there ever since. It's been since like third or fourth grade."
A big moment in the recruitment came when Brehaut threw in front of UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow last week.
"I was really excited to have the opportunity to throw in front of him, and he was one of the last guys to come out so I threw for a lot of schools beforehand,'' Brehaut said. "I kind of knew the format. Yeah, it was coach Chow, and a great coach, coming out to see me, but I knew what to expect. It's exciting, but I wasn't very nervous."

In light of the all but Norm Chow's contract figures now available, I did some numbers comparison and found that UCLA is not spending significantly more on Rick Neuheisel's coaching staff compared to what was spent on Karl Dorrell's final staff.
Dorrell's last staff was guaranteed $1,620,000, and Neuheisel's staff is guaranteed $1,405,000, plus offensive coordinator Norm Chow's yet-to-be-released salary. Sources put Chow's salary between $300,000 and $350,000.
I think it is one of the best staffs around, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the cases of running backs coach Wayne Moses and special teams coach Frank Ganz Jr. Both are being paid $100,000, well under market value, because they are still being paid by their former NFL clubs this upcoming season.

Since writing Kevin Love is withdrawing from classes and hiring agent Jeff Schwartz, I've received a number of inquiries about how this effects UCLA's APR, the dreaded formula used by the NCAA to ensure schools are doing their best to keep kids focused in the classroom.
After doing some research, Love withdrawing from classes does negatively impact the APR. But UCLA's APR four-year average is high enough (968) that it will not trigger any
scholarship penalties. The ninth week of the quarter begins Tuesday. A player must withdraw from classes much sooner to not effect the APR.

UCLA's decision to offer Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Richard Brehaut a scholarship this weekend came after a whirlwind week in which the Bruins' top two offensive guys -- coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow -- got to see Brehaut and Upland quarterback Josh Nunes throw in person.
It didn't take long for Brehaut to accept the offer.
Chow was on the campuses of the two quarterbacks Wednesday, and Neuheisel was at an event hosted by Steve Clarkson over the weekend. (Neuheisel was allowed to attend because his oldest son was participating).
Brehaut is a 6-foot-3, 205-pounder who threw for 2,348 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a junior. He also completed 65 percent of his passes.
I will have comments from him about his commitment it later today.

UCLA received a non-binding oral commitment from Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos High quarterback Richard Brehaut.
The commitment comes after UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel saw both Brehaut and Upland quarterback Josh Nunes at an event over the weekend in Santa Barbara.
I will have more later.

Power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute received an invitation to the NBA's Orlando pre-draft camp, and will head there today, his brother Armel Minyem, told me this morning. Mbah a Moute received the invitation during the weekend, which doesn't give him much time to go since the camp begins this week.
Unlike Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, who are going to the camp only to get measured and have some informal talks with NBA teams, Mbah a Moute is going to play in hopes of raising his stock.

Russell Westbrook told me it is yet to be determined which teams he works out for, and he didn't think it would be decided until the weekend. He is going to the pre-draft camp in Orlando, but said he would only be getting measured there and not playing in the camp.
He also said he has been in contact with agents, but is yet to sign with one. He did not rule out a return to UCLA, although sources said it is likely he will stay in the draft.

UCLA guard Russell Westbrook said he is training in Santa Monica, and he said he has a number of teams that want him to work out for him. No surprise, but unless he flops in the workouts, he will sign with an agent since he is projected as a lottery pick.

UCLA power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute said he was to play for Cameroon in the 12-team Olympic qualifier July 14-20 in Athens, Greece, but he will not make up his mind until he knows whether or not he is staying in the NBA draft.
Mbah a Moute is working out at the Home Depot Center, and said he was unsure how NBA teams would react to his playing in the qualifier if he was drafted.
However, Mbah a Moute said he would play for Cameroon if he decides to return to UCLA.
Cameroon is in a group with Puerto Rico and Croatia, and the top two teams from each group advance to knockout play. The countries that play in the title game qualify for the Olympics later this summer in China, as does the winner of a game between the losers of the semifinals.

I posted some audio in regards to the ceremony last week at the Coliseum involving coach John Wooden, and a reader sent me links for the video of various speeches, so here they are:

Vin Scully
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Keith Erickson
Coach John Wooden

Again, thanks to the reader for sharing these links, and in the future, I invited others to email the links to me at brian.dohn@dailynews.com and I will post them.

This is from UCLA regarding academic achievement of several athletes:

Click here to read a story I wrote in today's paper on former Bruin Jordan Farmar. He had a huge block from behind in the Lakers win over the Spurs last night, and he joked about why he never made such a play at UCLA. And watchthe play here on youtube.

Former UCLA great and two-time Super Bowl champ James Washington and members of the Bruins coaching staff will hold a free football clinic on Saturday, May 31, at Los Angeles Southwest College.
Below is the release about it from the school:

Here is the story I wrote on UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's contract, and a further breakdown of incentives in the five-year contract:

Academic Performance
Max earning potential is $50,000
$10,000 if team GPA is between 2.5 and 2.75
$20,000 if team GPA is 2.75 or higher

$10,000 is APR (tied to graduation rate) is between 92.5 and 95 percent
$20,000 is APR is 95 percent or higher

$5,000 for each Academic all-American up to two players

Regular season wins
Max earning potential is $100,000
$20,000 for winning eight games
$35,000 for winning nine games
$50,000 for winning 10 games
$65,000 for winning 11 games
$100,000 for winning 12 games

Pac-10 performance
Maximum earning potential is $100,000
$100,000 for undisputed Pac-10 title
$80,000 for Pac-10 co-championship

Post-season appearances
Max earning potential is $200,000
$200,000 for playing in the BCS title game
$100,000 for playing in a BCS at-large game
$40,000 for playing in bowl game in which payout is more than $1 million
$20,000 for playing in any other non-BCS bowl game

Coach of the year
$50,000 for being named coach of the year by the Football Writers, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press or AFCA

*There is also a $1.5 million buyout

Here is the story I wrote for today's paper on former UCLA center Kevin Love readying to sign with an agent and withdrawing from classes.
As another tidbit, here are the teams Love said he expects to work out for, likely beginning with the New Jersey Nets on June 5. He also said he expects to work out for the Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, Seattle Sonics, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks.
Love added it was still possible he could work out for the Chicago Bulls, but was told by the Clippers that Elton Brand would be there for a while so they would likely pass on Love.

I wrote this for Saturday's paper, but here's a sneak peek of a few lines.

Kevin Love said he will soon sign with Los Angeles-based agent Jeff Schwartz, ending any microscopic chance of returning for a second season.
Love, an all-American and the Pacific-10 player of the year, added he is no longer attending classes.
"I have to actually sign the papers to get out of school because I have a few (endorsements) on the table where I can actually start making money,'' Love said. "When am I signing with an agent? As early as Tuesday. It's just getting all the paperwork together. I'm going with Jeff Schwartz.''

(By the way, this is night owl time for those of us with toddler who believe it is their job to wake up the roosters in time to crow for the rising sun.)

Here is UCLA's coaching salary breakdown. The amount listed is guaranteed.

Rich Neuheisel, head coach $1.25 million
DeWayne Walker, defensive coordinator $375,000 (two-year deal)
Norm Chow, offensive coordinator $300,000-$350,000* (three-year deal, still receiving difference of $1 million and UCLA contract from Tennessee Titans)
Chuck Bullough, linebackers $190,000
Todd Howard, defensive line $190,000
Tim Hauck, safeties $125,000
Reggie Moore, receivers $125,000
Wayne Moses, running backs $100,000 (still being paid by St. Louis Rams)
Bob Palcic, offensive line $200,000
Frank Ganz Jr., special teams $100,000 (still being paid by Baltimore Ravens)

*According to sources since contract is still not signed

I received a copy of football coach Rick Neuheisel's contract today, and in addition to the $1.25 million he is guaranteed in each of the five years, he can earn an additional $500,000 annually in bonuses.
Much of the bonus money is tied to on-field performance, with 12 earning him an extra $100,000, an undisputed Pac-10 title worth $100,000 and an appearance in the BCS title game worth $200,000.
He can also make $50,000 for being a national coach of the year and $50,000 for academic performance.
The clauses for remaining in control of the program and the responsibility for adhering to NCAA rules is the same as any other contract.
It means all of the contracts of the staff are signed, except for offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Part of the reason that continues to be slow is because Chow is still owed $2 million over the next two seasons by the Tennessee Titans, but the amount UCLA pays him will be deducted from that figure. And, according to sources, there is a fair-market clause in Chow's contract with the Titans, so UCLA cannot just pay him a small amount and have Tennessee pay the rest.
That said, sources are telling me Chow's UCLA salary will be between $300,000-$350,000. He agreed to a three-year deal.

Sorry for the broken link on the fourth set of answers. Here they are:

Hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day weekend. I'll have some more UCLA stuff over the next few days, but have a good, safe time. Now, here is the final set of answers:

Here is the sixth set:

Here is the fifth set:

Here is the fourth set of answers:

Here's a few tidbits from Dallas South Oak Cliff High center J'mison Morgan, who was released from his national letter of intent by LSU, which allowed him to commit to UCLA today.
He said he wanted out of LSU after coach John Brady was fired, but waited until he met with new coach Trent Johnson.
"I met with coach Johnson first and got to hear what he had to say,'' Morgan said. "I made my decision after that.''
He said Kevin Love announcing he was going to enter the NBA draft had no bearing on his decision to attend UCLA. "Nothing. Not at all,'' he said.
Morgan also said UCLA was "real close the first time'' before he committed to LSU.
By the way, UCLA's first summer session begins June 23, and Morgan will be officially a Bruin when he attends his first class since he cannot sign another national letter of intent.

Power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is still waiting to hear whether he was invited to participate in next week's pre-draft camp in Orlando, but several teams have contacted him about workouts after the camp,
Toronto, Dallas, Portland and Chicago each inquired about working Mbah a Moute out.

This is the third installment:

Here is the second set:

Here is the story I wrote for online on South Oak Cliff (Dallas) High center J'mison Morgan announcing today he will attend UCLA.

I just got off the phone with J'mison Morgan, and he told me he just announced he is going to attend UCLA. He said the release has been sent to UCLA and he will speak with coach Ben Howland in a little while.
Morgan said he will arrive on campus in late June and begin taking summer classes.

Not sure why but there weren't nearly the number of questions that I expected, but there were still a nice amount. That said, here is the first set of what will be seven installments of answers.
By the way, I will also have some reaction from J'mison Morgan today, as well as some other stuff I'm working on.

For those of you that love the night time, or the early morning, here is a bonus post on a preview of what will be in Friday's paper.
Not that it is a surprise, but Josh Shipp's mother, Debbie, told me tonight her son will soon announce he is returning to UCLA for his senior season.
"He's still chasing that national title,'' she said. "In the next day or so he'll say something.''

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel will get an up-close look at quarterback prospects Josh Nunes of Upland and Richard Brehaut of Los Osos in the next few days during Steve Clarkson's event in Santa Barbara. Neuheisel is allowed to be in attendance because one of his kids will be participating in the event.
I'm hearing after the weekend is when UCLA could make a move and offer either Nunes or Brehaut.

I spoke with Bianca Morgan, the mother of South Oak Cliff High center J'mison, who said a mix up in scheduling led to her son's press conference not taking place today.
"It's definitely tomorrow,'' she said.
When I asked if UCLA was the school J'mison would attend, she said, "Yes, definitely."

UCLA women's volleyball player Kaitlin Sather was chosen by the NCAA to represent the school at the 2008 National Student-Athlete Development Conference. Here is the release from UCLA:

Let me preface this post by saying in the world of blogging, new information becomes available by the hour, and sometimes there isn't a seamless meshing with something reported earlier.
That said, I bring you another update from J'mison Morgan's South Oak Cliff (Dallas) High basketball coach, James Mays, who said the target date for an announcement is Friday, but it may wait until Monday.
"It's scheduled for tomorrow around 12 o'clock,'' Mays said. "He had some things going on today, which is why it was delayed."
So what happened to AAU coach Jazzy Hartwell saying the press conference would be Monday?
"He's got some stuff (senior awards for graduation) going on tomorrow, but we're going to try and do it right after the senior awards program,'' Mays said. "There's a chance (it could be pushed to Monday), but we're shooting for tomorrow.''
So, is he still going to choose UCLA?
"At this point, yes, he is,'' said Mays, who added he spoke with Morgan in the last 14 hours about the change.

Just got to my computer and wanted to let you know that J'mison Morgan did not have a press conference today, and it is now scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. pacific. I am told the school of choice, as of now, remains UCLA.
Of course, Monday is Memorial Day, so we shall see if it happens then.

Today begins a nine-day dead period for high school basketball players visiting campuses, which means none can travel to campus to meet with coaches.
However, earlier this week a trio of prospects were on campus. They were class of 2009 center Anthony Stover of Renaissance Academy of La Canada, class of 2010 guard Tyler Lamb of Colony High of Ontario and class of 2011 center Kyle Caudill from Brea-Olinda.

Bianca Morgan, the mother of South Oak Cliff (Dallas) center J'mison Morgan, said the scholarship release from LSU still has not been sent to UCLA, but that it would be done Thursday.
She added her son has been talking regularly with UCLA signee Malcolm Lee of John W. North High of Riverside, but J'mison still has not spoken with UCLA's coaching staff since he was allowed out of his letter of intent by LSU last week.

Bianca Morgan, the mother of South Oak Cliff High of Dallas center J'mison Morgan, said her son still plans on announcing he will go to UCLA, but wouldn't rule out a change of heart overnight. J'mision is scheduled to make his announcement at 10 a.m. (pacific) Thursday.
"I"m about sure it's UCLA, but I'm not 100 percent,'' she said.
Asked if as of now he was going to commit to UCLA, Bianca said "yes." She said the two other schools being considered are Kansas and Cincinnati.
When I asked her if J'mison would have to change his mind overnight not to wind up at UCLA, she said, "yes, that's true."

This is the second part of Keith Erickson's speech.Voice011.wav

I thought former John Wooden player Keith Erickson's speech at the L.A. Coliseum was very good, so here is the first part of it. The second part will be posted in a little while. (Sorry for the separate postings on these speeches, but it is the only way I know how as of right now, but that will change.)Voice010.wav

This is the second part of coach John Wooden's speech.
Voice008.wav

Yes, I am trying to add a new few wrinkles to the blog, and this is one of them. This is the speech UCLA coach John Wooden gave at Tuesday's ceremony unveiling the plaque at the L.A. Coliseum. The sound quality isn't the best, but I'm sure I'll get better at this.
Part II will follow quickly.
Voice005.wav

Former LSU signee J'mison Morgan, the center of of Oak Cliff High in Dallas, now is scheduling his announcement of the new school he will be attending for Thursday morning.
I spoke with his high school coach, James Mays, today and asked him if he had changed his mind on deciding to go to UCLA.
"Not that I know of,'' Mays said.
After all, several members of his family told the Daily News earlier this month Morgan would be attending UCLA.

Remember Verbum Dei of Los Angeles receiver Reggie Dunn? He signed with Oregon State in 2007 but was not academically eligible.
Well, UCLA continues to keep tabs on Dunn, who is enrolled at a Los Angeles junior college. According to a few of my sources, Dunn is taking the proper classes to be able to transfer to UCLA, provided his grades are up to standard.
And those sources tell me UCLA is interested in bringing Dunn into the program in 2009.

I'm hearing UCLA is talking plenty with center/power forward Alfred Aboya, and things are looking good for Aboya staying for his senior season rather than graduate early and leave the school. He still could graduate early and enroll in a graduate program at UCLA.

UCLA offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Norm Chow will be out at Upland High and Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga today to see Josh Nunes and Richard Brehaut, respectively.
After doing so, UCLA is expected to make a decision on which quarterback to offer for the 2009 recruiting class.

Junior Taylor's hard road back from an ACL tear 16 months ago continues, and he will get a big chance June 9. He has a workout scheduled for the Buffalo Bills.

First of all, thanks for the feedback about the new blog design. I sent all of it to our tech folks, and they are looking into implementing some of the suggested changes.
Now, I'm sure folks out there have lots of questions since it's been a while, so send in the questions and I will answer them throughout Friday. Get your questions in by 8 a.m. Friday to make sure it gets answered.
(By the way, if you are having trouble posting a comment or question, email me at brian.dohn@dailynews.com and I will try to help you get it resolved. Thanks.)

I was told North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson was expected to be on campus Tuesday night to meet with UCLA's coaching staff.

This is the plaque unveiled in honor of UCLA coach John Wooden today at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
View image

The UCLA women's tennis team won its first NCAA title with a 4-0 victory over Cal today. This is title No. 102 for the school.

UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker is in Pittsburgh, not to recruit, but rather to spend some time with the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff so he can bring more ideas back to UCLA.

Just a quick update on UCLA's women's basketball program.

New coach Nikki Caldwell has hired Stacie Terry, Tony Perotti and Tasha Butts as assistant women's basketball coaches. The only holdover from the previous staff is Pam Walker, who will stay on as the Director of Operations.

I was told by a source UCLA would make a call to power forward Emmanuel Negedu, who was released from his letter of intent by Arizona, to see if there was any interest. However, a source said the Bruins were not expected to be a player for Negedu.

I spoke with JUCO offensive tackle Donovan Edwards this afternoon, and he said "as of right now, I'm definitely leaning toward UCLA."
Edwards said he wanted to wait and meet members of the team and the coaching staff before he made a final decision. He is finishing up his work for this semester at Diablo Valley CC and confirmed he would visit UCLA the first week of June.
USC, Cal, Florida, San Diego State and Mississippi are also recruiting him, but only UCLA is giving him the option of attending school in the fall.
"Wherever I go, I want to have a chance to come in an play and to make an impact,'' Edwards said. "I want to go where I fit in."
Edwards said Cal, Mississippi and Florida each said they are losing offensive tackles after the season and "they need a JC guy to come in and play right away."

One thing to keep in mind is his recruitment could be slowed down by a new NCAA rule that has the last nine days of May as a dead period, meaning recruits cannot take visits to campuses.
The dead period begins Thursday and runs through the end of the month, so even though Stepheson is supposed to visit UCLA before Thursday, it could push his timetable back because it could keep the North Carolina transfer from visiting other schools.

Donovan Edwards, the JUCO offensive tackle from Diablo Valley CC in Pleasant Hill, CA, is now scheduled to visit the first week of June. He has an offer from UCLA, and if he accepts it, he would enroll in late June and be available for the 2008 season.

I just spoke to one of J'Mison Morgan's coaches, who said the release for the former LSU signee will be faxed to UCLA "either today or tomorrow" with an announcement of Morgan's intention of his college choice to be made next week, possibly as early as Monday.
As Jill Painter already reported, Morgan's family told the Daily News he was going to attend UCLA.

UCLA could be making a decision shortly on what quarterback to offer for the 2009 class. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow is expected to visit Upland (the school of Josh Nunes) and Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga (the school of Richard Brehaut) this week.

Arizona released Emmanuel Negedu from his national letter of intent. Here is the release from the school:

I am hearing that Chace Stanback, the UCLA wing who is transferring at the end of the spring quarter, is looking at schools in the mid-Atlantic region of the country. One place he could wind up is Georgia Tech, which recruited him heavily out of high school.

I am hearing fullback Dylan Rush, who is leaving UCLA to attend a school that has wrestling, is expected to go to UC-Davis.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel hired Darren Witcher, a long-time high school assistant football coach in the Seattle area, as the Bruins director of football operations. The release from UCLA follows:

UCLA has been in contact with North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson and his family, and I am told he will be on campus this week to meet with the coaching staff and get a tour. However, I am also told it could be a few weeks before a decision is made.

Plenty can change by the time August training camp arrives, but UCLA may have to be creative when it comes to its scholarships for the football program this year.
With an incoming freshman class of 22 (including Crespi of Encino quarterback Kevin Prince) and 63 scholarship players already enrolled, UCLA is at the NCAA limit of 85 scholarships.
However, that is subject to change to allow Colorado transfer Kai Maiava, who already said he was transferring to UCLA, and JUCO offensive tackle Donovan Edwards, if he so chooses, to attend UCLA.
More transfers are possible, as is a change in plans in having Prince arrive in time for August training camp, not to mention more medical retirements. From my understanding, injured quarterback Patrick Cowan, who is having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, could take a medical retirement to free open a scholarship.
Also, keep in mind all scholarships must be renewed on an annual basis.

At the end of spring football practice I spoke to UCLA center (this is football now, folks) Micah Reed, who was a walk-on but was awarded a scholarship last season because of his position on the two-deep, and Reed didn't know whether he would be on scholarship next season.
However, I've been told Reed, who is penciled in as the starting center, would remain on scholarship. Ditto for linebacker Josh Edwards and defensive end Tom Blake, both former walk-ons who were on scholarship last season. As previously reported, fullback Trevor Theriot was also placed on scholarship.

North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson has a very good chance of winding up at UCLA, and there is more than the natural fit of the Bruins being one of the hometown teams and Stepheson having UCLA among his final schools when he decided to go to North Carolina.
UCLA assistant coach Scott Garson is a Harvard-Westlake product, and like Stepheson, played for Harvard-Westlake coach Greg Hilliard.

Hey, folks. It's been a while, but I'm back from a few weeks of relaxation, and things have certainly changed a bit. Outside of UCLA, the blog underwent an overhaul and I'd like some opinions. Do you like it? What would you change? What features would you like to have added?

As you ponder those things, expect UCLA to at least check in on the status of Arizona signee Emmanuel Negedu, who is asking for his release from his national letter of intent. I was told by sources that UCLA will check in on any high-level player that becomes available, and Negedu certainly fits that description.

The UCLA men's and women's tennis teams are both in the Final Four, which starts today. The Bruins are the only school to have both the men's and women's tennis teams in the Final Four.
The UCLA men play Texas in today's semifinals, and the UCLA women play Florida in today's semifinals.

UCLA is hosting the NCAA Super Regionals against Georgia on Saturday at 5 pm
(ESPN) and Sunday at 4 pm (ESPN2). A third game, if necessary, would be
played on Sunday 30 minutes after the conclusion of Sunday's first game and
would be televised by ESPN2.

UCLA's third-seeded men's tennis team beat sixth-seeded USC, 4-2, at the
NCAA quarterfinals in Tulsa. UCLA faces Texas in the semifinals on Monday.
The UCLA women's tennis team faces Florida in the NCAA semifinals, which also is in Tulsa on Monday.
UCLA has won 101 NCAA titles in school history, the most in the country.

The Bruins softball team advanced to the Super Regionals with a 4-3 win over Nevada today. Samantha Camuso hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning. UCLA plays Georgia next week at a time and date TBD.

Terrence Austin's track season was shortlived. He competed in the high jump in the USC-UCLA dual meet and finished second at 6-feet, 8 3/4 inches, but that was his only meet. Austin had said he wasn't sure if he'd continue to compete in the high jump because he was so beat up from football.

For those keeping score at home, softball was the majority winner in a recent poll that asked you guys to vote for the UCLA sports team you thought would win the next title. There were 573 votes (or 48 percent) for the Bruins softball team to win title No. 102. UCLA needs a win over Nevada today to advance to the Super Regionals.

The UCLA softball team needs just one win against Nevada today to advance to the Super Regionals. UCLA beat Nevada 6-4 in nine innings on Saturday after a seventh-inning error by the Wolf Pack kept the inning going for the Bruins.
UCLA plays Nevada at 2:30 p.m. at Easton Stadium, but Nevada would have to win twice in order to advance to the Super Regionals.

Senior Greg Garza won the discus in the Pac-10 Championships for the third consecutive year. He becomes just the third athlete to win three discus titles. Garza won at 195 feet. Oregon won the men's team title, and UCLA finished third.

UCLA's softball team was pushed to extra innings, but beat Nevada 6-4 in nine innings today. Nevada had previously won just one NCAA Tournament victory in the history of the program and that was on Friday.

The UCLA women's tennis team beat Arkansas 4-0 and earned a berth in the Final Four for the second consecutive season. The seventh-ranked Bruins will play No. 6 Florida at 10 a.m. on Monday.

ESPN is asking fans to vote for an iconic image for their school. Click herehere to vote.

Darius Savage had a lifetime best 61 feet-6 3/4 inches mark in the shot put last night in the Pac-10 Track Championships and finished third, UCLA's highest finish in Friday's field events. He's now 14th in the NCAA in the shot put this season.

Diane Stepheson hopes it can be a fairly quick process for her son, Alex, to decide where he'll transfer to from North Carolina. UCLA is an option.
``Yes, we would like to get him settled,'' Diane Stepheson said. ``We want to make sure he looks at his options carefully. We want to make sure it's a good situation for him.''

Now that Alex Stepheson is free to transfer to another school closer to his home in Los Angeles, he might feel like he did when he was recruited out of Harvard-Westlake. But only West Coast schools need apply. His mom, Diane Stepheson, said her phone was ringing off the hook on Friday, which is why she made a prepared statement. But Stepheson doesn't think it will be like it was when he was recruited out of high school.
``I don't feel it's recruiting all over again,'' Diane Stepheson said. ``To that extent, we'll try to look at our options and make a decision relatively soon.''

The UCLA softball team started the playoffs with a bang as it thumped Cal State Fullerton 8-3 on Friday at Easton Stadium. UCLA faces Nevada at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

I talked to Diane Stepheson, Alex Stepheson's mom earlier tonight, and here is the statement she made on behalf of the family.
``Alex Stepheson has transferred and will attend a college or university closer to home. At this time, no decision has been made as to which school that will be, but we look forward to exploring his options.''
Asked if one of those options was UCLA, Diane Stepheson said:
``We're going to look at UCLA. He wanted to be closer to home.''

Alex Stepheson, who has announced he'll transfer from North Carolina, could be headed to UCLA. He was recruited by UCLA out of Harvard Westlake and ultimately chose the Tar Heels. He'll transfer to be closer to his family, and his dad has an undisclosed health condition.
He was long rumored to transfer to be closer to his family, and that became official Friday.
"My family is dealing with some health challenges at this time and as a result I have made the decision to transfer to be closer to home," Stepheson said in a UNC press release. "The two years I have spent as a Tar Heel have been great. My teammates, Coach Williams and his staff and the whole Carolina family are the best. I wish to thank the UNC fans for all their support and encouragement. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a Tar Heel, and I wish the program the best in the future."

Alex Stepheson, who prepped at Harvard-Westlake, is officially transferring from North Carolina, the Associated Press reported. He was granted a release so that he can transfer to another school.

Stepheson leaving UNC for family reasons
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. North Carolina forward Alex
Stepheson is transferring because
he wants to be closer to his family in California.
Stepheson said Friday in a statement that his family is facing
unspecified health concerns.
Stepheson is a Los Angeles native who was the backup to Deon Thompson
at power forward. In two
years he averaged 3.16 points and 3.36 rebounds.
Coach Roy Williams said he is disappointed but understands
Stepheson's decision because "by
being closer to home, he will be able to provide the necessary
support and help his family
needs."
School officials said they have granted Stepheson's request for a
release, a move that permits
him to contact other programs.

Kai Maiava is coming to UCLA as an offensive lineman, he said. He played left guard his freshman season at left guard at Colorado but was asked to move to fullback. He lost 25 pounds to do so but was buried on CU's depth chart at fullback. He said he's already gained the weight back and is at 300 pounds again.

Offensive lineman Kai Maiava is transferring from Colorado to UCLA, scout.com reported today. I just talked to Maiava, and he confirmed he'll become a Bruin. Maiava must sit out one year due to transfer rules.
``It was a whole bunch of things that added up,'' Maiava said. ``It was a little football, a little this, a little that. It started to crumble on me. It was weird towards the end of the year. I found it better to be closer to home and surrounding myself with family.''

Here's what Rick Neuheisel said on the benefits of playing the series against Houston:
"Houston is one of the top programs in Conference USA. In addition, the state of Texas and the Houston area are important recruiting targets for us," Neuheisel said. "This series will enable us maintain a presence in the area and guarantees us at least one game in Texas in each of those years."
The full release from UCLA follows:

UCLA will play Houston in a three game-series beginning in 2010, the Houston Chronicle has reported. Click here to read the story.

The UCLA men's soccer team announced its schedule for 2008, and the Bruins are looking to impress with strength of schedule. UCLA plays five of the seven schools to win NCAA championships over the last 10 years.

John Hale had surgery on his knee last week and is currently going through rehab. The linebacker had a scope done. He had irritated tissue from a hyperextended knee but there wasn't any torn cartilage.

John Wooden will be on hand at the Coliseum on Tuesday. He'll be honored by Coliseum officials with a plaque. Looks like Wooden is doing better and better. This is the third appearance I know of that he's scheduled to participate in over the next month.
The press release follows:

UCLA track coach Jeanette Bolden will be featured on FSN Prime Tickets ''In my own words'' on May 22. The release from Fox is below:

Senior Anjelica Selden, sophomore Megan Langenfeld and freshman GiOnna DiSalvatore were all named to the all-Pacific region softball first team. Senior Krista Colburn, junior Amanda Kamekona and freshman Samantha Camuso were named to the second team.
Selden and Kamekona were also first-team Pac-10 selections. Camuso, Colburn, DiSalvatore and Langenfeld were named to the Pac-10 second team.

I wrote a story for today's paper about former UCLA point guard Jordan Farmar. Click here to read.

It should be noted, again, that the only things UCLA could comment on regarding J'Mison Morgan are whether it has received the official release form and whether he is an athlete the school is recruiting. UCLA doesn't have to do either, of course. The school issued a statement earlier today that it wouldn't comment on student athletes who had not signed a letter of intent or offer of financial aid.

UCLA officials won't confirm whether or not they've received the official release form from J'Mison Morgan, who was just released by LSU yesterday.

UCLA sent this release to reporters:
UCLA does not comment on prospective student-athletes until such time as he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent or written offer of financial aid.

UCLA just released information on Chane Moline and Osaar Rasshan, who are both scheduled to have surgery:

UCLA junior tailback Chane Moline is scheduled for surgery on his left wrist on Thursday (the same one he injured last season). He will have a screw placed in the wrist and is expected to be out eight weeks.

Junior quarterback Osaar Rasshan is scheduled to have patellar tendon surgery on his left knee on Friday. He has been bothered by tendonitis and has opted for surgery. He is expected to be back for the start of camp.

This blog reported yesterday that UCLA would look into any unauthorized use of its logo, and the site releasemorgan.com has now taken down the UCLA logos on its Web site. Also, the Web site now has a letter thanking LSU for releasing J'Mison Morgan. The Web site originally asked people to write letters to the LSU athletic department requesting it release Morgan from its letter of intent.

Click here to read the story I wrote about Morgan in today's paper. Just wanted to highlight the part about Morgan being unable to sign a letter-of-intent. A student athlete can't sign more than one letter-of-intent per year, but Morgan could sign a written offer of financial aid. The glaring difference is that offers of financial aid are not binding.

J'Mison Morgan has officially been released from his letter-of-intent at LSU, and Trent Johnson has seemed unfazed by it. But Johnson hinted that he felt others affected Morgan's decision.
"The bottom line with me will always be that I want players here who want to play for LSU," Johnson said. "There is some closure with this decision, but no player will ever be bigger than the program. This is a kid who signed with LSU last November because he wanted to come here, and now he's got a lot of outside influences affecting him.''
LSU released part of this quote on its press release yesterday, but the Advocate in Louisiana ran the latter part of his comments, about ``outside influences'' which seemed to be the most compelling. The quote, in the press release, ended with ''no player will ever be bigger than the program.''

There is a Web site - www.releasemorgan.com - i'm sure some of you have seen by now which requests people to e-mail the LSU athletic department to release high school center J'Mison Morgan from his letter of intent. That happened today, so the Web site might be taken down anyway.
However, the Web site uses the UCLA logo. A UCLA spokesperson said it would look into any case in which there is unauthorized use of the UCLA logo. The site has no affiliation with the university or the athletic department, the spokesperson said.
An NCAA spokesperson said that it was an institutional matter.

I just talked briefly to J'Mison Morgan's mother, Bianca. When asked if Morgan was still planning on attending UCLA, she said ''yes.'' Morgan received his official release from the school today. As of 5 p.m., UCLA still had not seen the official release.

I just spoke to a UCLA spokesperson who said UCLA cannot comment on J'Mison Morgan - who's now a recruitable student athlete since his release from LSU - until the compliance office sees the official release form. As of 12:45 p.m., UCLA had not seen the release.
Once UCLA does that, it can confirm if it is interested in Morgan.
Morgan is expected to sign with UCLA, it just might take some time for that to happen.

LSU has officially released J'Mison Morgan today. This is the release LSU just sent me.

LSU BASKETBALL RELEASES SIGNEE FROM LOI

BATON ROUGE - LSU men's basketball coach Trent Johnson announced on Tuesday that he has granted signee J'Mison "Bobo" Morgan a release from his national letter of intent that he signed with the Tigers in November 2007.

Morgan is from Dallas, Texas and played at South Oak Cliff High School.

"The bottom line with me will always be that I want players here who want to play for LSU," Johnson said. "There is some closure with this decision, but no player will ever be bigger than the program."

The UCLA baseball team must win both of its remaining Pac-10 series in order to get a third consecutive postseason berth. UCLA was ranked No. 1 in Baseball America's pre-season poll. UCLA plays UC Irvine today and Thursday, then hosts Washington State beginning Friday and finishes the regular season with a three-game series at Cal. UCLA (33-13) has to win the series against Washington State and Cal to advance to the postseason.

The Advocate in Louisiana has an article which quotes Bianca Morgan saying that LSU has released J'Mison Morgan.
Click here for the article.

Fox Sports has a report that LSU has released J'Mison Morgan from his letter of intent.
This would not be shocking if it happened. Ronnie Morgan told me last week that he believed the Tigers would let Morgan out of his letter of intent. And Trent Johnson said publicly last week that he wasn't going to beg a kid to play for him.
``They haven't made an (official) decision yet, but they say they're going to (grant the release),'' Ronnie Morgan said last week.
Click here to read the story.

I was out at U.S. Open media day in San Diego today, so sorry for the late post.

Former UCLA basketball player Bill Rankin has died, according to the Associated Press. He was 84. Rankin died after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease on Sunday. We extend our sympathies to his family.

Here is the press release on the Vin Scully and John Wooden event next month:

UCLA linebacker Reggie Carter is on the watch List for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy award. The following is the press release:

A couple of items:

Obviously, this depth chart is tentative and could change during Fall camp. Players listed first are the leaders at their positions entering camp.
Incoming players are not listed on the depth chart.
FB Dylan Rush has received his release and will transfer at the end of the quarter to a school at which he can participate in wrestling.

OFFENSE
SE 19 Dominique Johnson (6-3, 208, So.**) (3)
10 Gavin Ketchum (6-5, 209, Jr.**)
2 Ryan Graves (6-1, 167, Sr.**)
27 Ryal Jagd (6-3, 187, Fr.**) ^
35 David Martini (6-1, 197, Fr.**)^

LT 73 Micah Kia (6-6, 298, Jr.) (8)
69 Brandon Bennett (6-4, 319, So.**)

LG 77 Darius Savage (6-4, 338, So.**)
55 Sonny Tevaga (6-3, 337, So.**)
50 Aaron Meyer (6-1, 296, Sr.**)

C 58 Micah Reed (6-4, 316, Sr.**) (8 at OG)
57 Jake Dean (6-4, 286, So.**)
53 Adam Heater (6-5, 246, Jr.**)

RG 66 Scott Glicksberg (6-4, 269, Sr.**) (1 at TE) OR
75 Nick Ekbatani (6-4, 290, Jr.**)
61 Andy Keane (6-2, 284, So.**)

RT 72 Sean Sheller (6-5, 282, So.**)
65 Mike Harris (6-5, 311, Fr.**)

TE 86 Logan Paulsen (6-6, 252, Sr.) (13)
15 Ryan Moya (6-4, 229, Jr.**)
89 Nate Chandler (6-3, 265, Fr.**)
81 Glenn Rauscher (6-3, 223, Fr.**)^

QB 7 Ben Olson (6-4, 235, Sr.**) (5)
3 Kevin Craft (6-5, 210, Jr.**)
8 Chris Forcier (6-3, 185, Fr.**)
11 Osaar Rasshan (6-4, 214, Jr.**) (3)
12 Pat Cowan (6-5, 218, Sr.**) (5) ##

FB 31 Trevor Theriot (6-0, 233, Jr.**) (6)
45 Tobi Umodu (6-0, 235, So.**)

TB 36 Kahlil Bell (6-0, 206, Sr.) (5)
20 Raymond Carter (5-11, 202, Fr.**)
42 Chane Moline (6-1, 236, Jr.) (1) OR
24 Christian Ramirez (6-3, 211, Jr.)
21 Craig Sheppard (6-1, 193, Jr.**)^

FL 9 Marcus Everett (6-1, 212, Sr.**) (1)
4 Terrence Austin (5-10, 160, Jr.)
82 Taylor Embree (6-4, 195, Fr.)
6 Jamil Turner (6-1, 204, Jr.**)
26 Mike Angelo (6-1, 191, Jr.**)^
21 Ben Bruneau (6-0, 204, Fr.**)^

DEFENSE
LE 55 Korey Bosworth (6-1, 235, Jr.**) (3)
47 Chinonso Anyanwu (6-4, 216, Jr.**)
85 David Carter (6-5, 257, So.**)

DT 92 Brian Price (6-1, 297, So.) (5)
52 Jess Ward (6-4, 280, Jr.**) (6)
98 Jeff Miller (6-5, 259, So.**)
51 Nathaniel Skaggs (6-4, 300, Sr.**)

DT 93 Brigham Harwell (6-2, 292, Sr.**) (2)
90 Jerzy Siewierski (6-2, 285, Jr.)
50 Chase Moline (6-2, 252, Sr.)

RE 56 Tom Blake (6-4, 259, Sr.**) (8)
91 Reginald Stokes (6-3, 250, So.**)
99 Justin Edison (6-3, 244, Fr.**)

SLB 12 John Hale (6-4, 220, Sr.)
40 Akeem Ayers (6-2, 231, Fr.**)

MLB 51 Reggie Carter (6-1, 221, Jr.**) (8)
43 Steve Sloan (6-3, 225, Fr.**)
57 Justin Woolbright (6-1, 217, Fr.**)^
59 Michael Lutu (6-1, 233, So.**)^

WLB 54 Kyle Bosworth (6-1, 222, Sr.) (7)
53 Joshua Edwards (6-1, 232, Sr.**)
48 Mike Schmitt (6-0, 224, So.**)

LC 22 Michael Norris (5-9, 177, Sr.**) (1)
7 Courtney Viney (5-8, 153, Fr.**)

SS 25 Bret Lockett (6-2, 204, Sr.) (1)
35 Matt Culver (6-2, 201, Sr.**)^
31 Garrett Rubio (5-9, 186, So.**)^

FS 27 Aaron Ware (6-0, 193, Jr.**)
20 Glenn Love (6-4, 207, Fr.**)
32 Michael Ciaccio (6-0, 173, So.**)^

RC 1 Alterraun Verner (5-11, 176, Jr.) (11)
30 Chris Meadows (5-11, 175, Sr.**)^

SPECIALISTS
PK 15 Kai Forbath (6-0, 197, So.**) (13)
KO 37 Jimmy Rotstein (5-11, 174, Jr.**)^ (13)
P 17 Aaron Perez (6-4, 229, Sr.**) (13)
LS 52 Christian Yount (6-1, 250, So.) (13)
H 17 Aaron Perez (6-4, 229, Sr.**)
PR 4 Terrence Austin (5-10, 160, Jr.)
2 Ryan Graves (6-1, 167, Sr.**)
KOR 24 Christian Ramirez (6-3, 211, Jr.)
4 Terrence Austin (5-10, 160, Jr.)

This year's senior class on the softball team has never won a national championship. That's pretty rare at UCLA, which has an NCAA record 11 national titles. In fact, in the 26 years Sue Enquist coached the team, and this one season Kelly Inouye-Perez has, no class has ever not won at least one national title.

A couple years ago, the senior class led by Natasha Watley and Taria (Mims) Flowers waited until their senior year to win one, but they eventually came back through the losers' bracket in Oklahoma City to upset Cat Osterman's Texas team.

This year's senior class has been to the WCWS twice in their previous three years, but never won the big prize.

I just wanted to say thanks from all of us for your support of the UCLA blog. I especially like the responses we've received from the polls. They're meant to be something fun for you guys to do. The last poll I posted - the one about J'Mison Morgan - garned more than 1,800 votes. Also, no one person can vote more than once in order try to get a more accurate representation of the UCLA faithful.
If you have any ideas for poll questions you'd like to see, let me know. I'll try to run one every day this week.

The UCLA women's water polo team won the school's 101st national title yesterday. Which sport will win the next championship for UCLA?

UCLA's softball team earned a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins host Nevada, Purdue and Cal State Fullerton in a regional beginning Friday. UCLA plays Cal State Fullerton in Friday's second game.

The UCLA women's water polo team beat USC 6-3 today to win the NCAA Championship. It was UCLA's fourth consecutive water polo title, and the school's 101 national championship. The Bruins had an undefeated season at 33-0.

Stan Love is a former Laker, but he wouldn't mind at all if Kevin Love was selected by the Clippers in the NBA draft. He believes Love would be a good fit for the Clippers.
``If the Clippers have the pick, I don't think they'd let Kevin go no matter what position and whatever their needs are,'' Stan Love said. ``I think they'd try to keep Kevin in town since he played (college) in town. He'd be a natural.''

Hope you guys have a great Mother's Day. And in case you forgot, this is your friendly reminder to call your mom!

The top-seeded UCLA women's golf team won the NCAA West Regional today in Austin. Freshman Maria Jose Uribe - a tremendous talent who's fun to watch - tied for first place medalist honors with a 2-under-par 70 at the University of Texas Golf Club. The Bruins advance to the NCAA Championships at the University of New Mexico May 20-23.

The UCLA women's water polo team defeated UC Davis 11-4 today, using a six-goal third period to start the rout. UCLA will play the Stanford-USC winner for the national championship at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Stanford.

I'm not hearing anything new with LSU signee J'Mison Morgan, but here's an article that ran in today's The Advocate, which talked about a Trent Johnson appearance this week. Both Johnson and Les Miles are doing a tour of the state to chat with fans and talk about the state of the program. At each stop. Johnson has had to address the situation with Morgan.
Click here to read the story.

The UCLA women's water polo team will play UC Davis at 4 p.m. today in the NCAA semifinals. Two more wins and the Bruins water polo team will win its fourth consecutive championship.

Diablo Valley junior college offensive lineman Donovan Edwards was originally scheduled to take his recruiting trip to UCLA this weekend but I'm hearing that was rescheduled, probably for next weekend.

Terrence Austin, who had considered competing in the high jump in UCLA's track meet in Modesto this weekend, is not entered. Austin still could compete in next weekend's Pac-10 Championships.

UCLA pole vaulter Johnny Quinn broke his back in September, but he has since recovered and set a personal-best at 17 feet, 5 inches in winning the pole vault in last weekend's USC-UCLA dual meet. He'll compete in the Modesto meet this weekend.
He was out for four months.
``I just got back about five or six weeks ago,'' Quinn said. I had to wear a brace for three months. It sucked. It was a brace that went all the way around my chest. My coaches have been great, and I had great support from everybody.''

I just talked to an LSU official who said the decision on whether J'Mison Morgan is released from his letter of intent will be made in the coming weeks. Doesn't sound like this matter will be resolved any time soon. Trent Johnson has talked to local reporters about continued talks with J'Mison Morgan's mom. Click herefor a story in today's Shreveport Times. The information on Morgan is at th end of the story.

Click here for the Kevin Prince story that ran in today's paper.

Kevin Love was invited to the Orlando pre-draft camp May 27-30, but he won't participate in it.
``He's not playing ball or participating in it,'' Stan Love said. ``He's just going to get measured and those things. It's a guard kind of thing. It doesn't do anything for Kevin.
``The guards just jack the ball up. It's very difficult when you're at a camp with all the guards trying to impress. As a big guy, they're not throwing you the ball. You're not going to show anything. Private team workouts will be much better for both parties.''

Brian reported last month that UCLA coaches asked Kevin Prince if he would enroll early (Prince was scheduled to enroll in January of '09), and Prince told me today that he's willing to do that. However, it's not official that Prince will enroll because UCLA needs to figure out its scholarship situation. Each football program has 85 scholarships, and the Bruins need to assess injuries, walkons who received scholarships in the Karl Dorrell era, and newcomers (UCLA has offered a scholarship to a junior college offensive lineman) to see if there is a scholarship available. The Bruins haven't reached the 25 new scholarship limit for each season, so that wouldn't be a problem.

I just talked to Crespi quarterback Kevin Prince, and he said he'll honor UCLA's request to enroll in school early. Prince originally was set to begin school in January, but he'll enroll in June, he told Rick Neuheisel. It's not definitive that it will happen, and I'll have more on that later.

I just talked to Stan Love, and he said Kevin Love had a bad flu bug that kept him from his training regimen for three to four days. He said Kevin was supposed to get back to a full workout (in preparation for NBA team workouts) today. Kevin Love has yet to hire an agent.

The UCLA women's water polo team is 30-0 and will try to extend its perfect season on Friday when it plays Pomona-Pitzer (17-11) in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins are seeking their fourth consecutive national title.

Here's an article that was published in today's Advocate in Louisiana. It has comments from J'Mison Morgan's mom, who says Morgan is leaving. That makes three family members - J'Mison, brother Ronnie and mom Bianca - who all say J'Mison is requesting his release from LSU.
Click hereto read the story.
This Morgan story has drama written all over it.

I just got back from seeing ``Gunnin' for that No. 1 Spot.'' It was an interesting documentary following eight standout high school basketball players who have NBA aspirations - including Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Brandon Jennings. The documentary tells each kid's story and then follows them to the Elite 24 All-Star game at the Rucker in Harlem (the game was Sept. 1, 2006). Love has more hair and even more of a baby face than he has now (he was two years younger in filming).
Love and Beasley - who are playing on opposing teams in the All-Star Game - have some great conversations. You can sneak a peak into the Love household in Lake Oswego, Oregon and even his grandma makes her film debut.
I think it's a must-see. My only problem was some of the ever-moving cameras made me a little nauseas. But, I felt like I got to know these kids a little better. You learn what a crazy youngster Beasley was in kindergarten and first grade.
The movie comes out June 28, the day after the NBA draft.

I am going to see the documentary ``Gunnin' for No. 1'' in an hour. Kevin Love is in the movie, so I'll have a report on it this afternoon. I'll update you as soon as possible if there's anything new on J'Mison Morgan.

Craig Sheppard, a walkon, was a heartwarming story as he moved up the depth chart from fifth-string tailback because of injuries to the running backs corps. He scored the only touchdown against Oregon.
This season, he's a fifth-string tailback again, plus he faces extensive recovery from reconstructive shoulder surgery.
``I don't know a lot of the details. I just know it's big-time surgery and a big-time recovery,'' Sheppard said.
Sheppard said his left shoulder is in an immobilizer for two weeks and will be in a sling after that.

This is from UCLA....junior tailback Craig Sheppard had reconstructive surgery on the AC joint of his left shoulder late last week. He will be sidelined four to six months.

(So, that means the earliest he could return is early September. Or, he could be out for most of the season).

Also, senior quarterback Ben Olson underwent successful surgery on his right foot this afternoon. A screw was placed in his right fifth metatarsal. Expected recovery time is six to eight weeks.

Here is a release from UCLA regarding its APR.

UCLA pitcher Jason Novak was named the Pac-10 player of the week. Here's the release:

I've spoken to LSU officials regarding J'Mison Morgan twice today, and they have yet to receive official paperwork from Morgan regarding his request for release from his letter-of-intent. Morgan told the Dallas Morning News that he submitted the paperwork on Sunday.

I just spoke with Ronnie Morgan, J'Mison Morgan's brother, and he said ``he's planning for sure to attend UCLA next year.''
Morgan also said he believes LSU will let J'Mison Morgan out of his letter-of-intent, paving the way for Morgan to play for the Bruins this season.
``They haven't made an (official) decision yet, but they say they're going to (grant the release),'' Ronnie Morgan said.

The Dallas Morning News talked to J'Mison Morgan, who prepped at South Oak Cliff, and he told the DMN he turned in his request for a release from LSU and is considering attending UCLA in the fall.
Click herefor the story.
LSU has to grant Morgan's release or Morgan would have to sit out a year according to NCAA transfer rules.

J'Mison Morgan, who signed a letter-of-intent with LSU, has reportedly asked for his release from the school. The rumors were swirling about the center today, but I couldn't confirm anything. I talked to AAU coach Jazzy Hartwell before he had a meeting with Morgan and his mom tonight, but he said at that point he didn't know what was going to happen.
Click herehere to read the report.

Offensive lineman Donovan Edwards (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) of Diablo Valley CC said today that he was offered a scholarship by UCLA. Edwards said he'll go on his recruiting trip to UCLA this weekend. UCLA is the first school to offer him a scholarship, Edwards said.

Quarterback Ben Olson will have surgery on his broken right foot tomorrow. He will have a screw inserted in the fifth metatarsal. Recovery time is an estimated six to eight weeks.

Kevin Brown has signed a two-year deal with Seattle after attending the Seahawks mini-camp last week.

UCLA senior baseball standout Alden Carrithers is on the Wallace Award watch list, an award given the country's top collegiate baseball player. Here is the release:

John R. Wooden High School in Reseda has made a mural to honor John Wooden's life. The mural - 20 feet by 25 feet - will be unveiled in a dedication ceremony on June 6. Coach Wooden and his family, along with LAUSD officials and civic leaders will be in attendance, according to a release from Wooden High principal Jay Kessler.

Former Bruin Trevor Ariza is still recovering from a broken right foot, and it will be probably at least another week before he can be cleared to play. He's been sidelined since January.

Former Bruin Jordan Farmar was 0 for 5 from the field yesterday in the Lakers' 109-98 win over the Jazz. He had two rebounds and a steal in nine minutes.

UCLA's nationally televised baseball game was a success for the Bruins. UCLA beat No. 4 Arizona State 8-3, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Sun Devils.

One reason Terrence Austin might not keep high jumping this season is because of injuries.
``I'm still feeling a little bit of a hamstring issue,'' Austin said Saturday.
He placed second in the USC-UCLA meet, which was interesting considering the Bruins have a solid core of high jumpers. Before Austin went to the track for practice on Tuesday, there wasn't much consideration given to him scoring points, which is why UCLA coach Art Venegas said the team probably wouldn't need him. However, Austin said he felt good on Tuesday, which is why he competed.
If he continues to jump, he wants to meet qualifying standards for the NCAA West Regionals.

I saw CB Rodney Van at the USC-UCLA track meet on Saturday. Many of his teammates were at NFL mini-camps across the country, but Van remained optimistic about his football future. He said he'll go through an evaluation process with the Buffalo Bills soon, and he hopes he can attend their next camp.
``I just want to take advantage of any opportunity,'' Van said.
He's working out in Long Beach with some of his former high school coaches. Also, he said he still has a few classes before he graduates, but he has enough to walk with his class in June.
Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker was at the track meet as well.

UCLA receiver Terrence Austin finished second in the high jump at the USC-UCLA dual meet on Saturday. It was his first meet of the year, but he's not sure if he'll shut it down again or continue to compete for the Bruins.

Terrence Austin said he's not sure whether he'll continue to jump in track meets (although the season is nearing a close anyway). He still has a couple of meets - including the Pac-10 Championships - to try to make a regional-qualifying mark in the high jump. He jumped 6-8 3/4 on Saturday in his first compeition of the season, one week after spring football ended.
``It's a little up in the air right now,'' Austin said. ``I'm still beat up from football. I might take me a break this week. But, I might go to the track meet in Modesto. I just want to see how I'll feel.''
Austin said he talked to coach Rick Neuheisel, who he said encouraged him with his track and field endeavors, on Tuesday.

Terrence Austin said he worked out on Tuesday, the first day he got in some jumps at the high jump pit, then shut it down the rest of the week. He just jogged and stretched the rest of the week. Still, he finished second in the high jump and UCLA swept the event.
``It was shocking to me with how (little) work I put in,'' he said. ``I still feel I could've done a lot more work, and I was happy with what I did. I was just so beat up from football. We contributed a lot to the team. I was just happy to do that.''

Darius Savage was second in the shot put in the dual meet with USC with a toss of 58-11 1/4. He was also second in the discus with a season-best 187-4.

UCLA coach Art Venegas had said Terrence Austin wouldn't jump this week, but Austin said he told him to come out Tuesday and see how he felt. Austin felt pretty good Tuesday, got his uniform, took it easy the rest of the week, then finished second today in the high jump. Austin cleared 6-8 3/4. UCLA's Jonathan Clark won the high jump at 6-8 3/4 and finished first based on fewer misses. The Bruins swept the high jump. More on Austin later.

The USC women snapped a 15-year drought in the dual meet with an 86-77 win over UCLA at Drake Stadium. The UCLA men, who lost to USC last year, won 89-74.

Thought I'd share a story I wrote for today's paper on UCLA softball player Ashley Herrera. She's something of a medical miracle, having bounced back from a torn ACL in just over four months, then a dislocated ankle in just 10 weeks. What's more, she's a walk-on who earned her way into the starting lineup for the No. 4 ranked women's softball team, which takes on No. 1 Arizona State today at 3 and tommorrow at 1.

The USC-UCLA track meet starts at 11 a.m. with the field events and track events at 1 p.m. The meet will be televised live on Fox Sports Prime Ticket. I will blog results after the meet.

Boldizsar Kocsor of UCLA won the hammer competition in the USC-UCLA dual meet, giving the Bruins the early lead.
Here's the release from UCLA:

UCLA assistant Donny Daniels went to Spain recently to check out 7-foot-1, 265-pound recruit Phillip Wait, who's on the radar of many Division I schools. But, from what I've heard, UCLA is not planning to offer him a scholarship.

Kevin Love and his dad, Stan Love, went to the Lakers-Nuggets Game 2, and Kevin was shown on the JumboTron when the Lakers show celebrities in the crowd. That might have had something to do with the impromptu autograph session he conducted as he was walking courtside to leave Staples Center after the game.
``We were walking out through the crowd, and Kevin was mobbed,'' Stan Love said. ``Kevin wasn't ready for that. He had hundreds of people around him wanting pictures and autographs. He's a huge celebrity. He did about 40 minutes (signing). He did really well. When people show him a lot of love, he tries to give back.''

Here's UCLA's television schedule for its football games, courtesy of UCLA:

The USC-UCLA track meet is at Drake Stadium beginning today with the hammer event at 3 p.m. The rest of the meet is on Saturday, with the field events to begin at 11 a.m. and track events begin at 11:55 a.m. with the women's 5,000 meters. This meet is usually one of the best events in L.A. The meet will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. on Fox Sports Prime Ticket on Saturday.

I talked to Stan Love, who saw the documentary that includes his son, Kevin Love. Here's were his thoughts on the film:
``I thought it was a very interesting documentary,'' Love said. ``It shows the difference between growing up in an affluent community as opposed to growing up in the ghetto. The contrast of Kevin and some of the other kids is pretty prevalent.''
I'm going to try to see a screening next week, so hopefully I'll have more details then.

Click here for an incredible story on Tennessee's Chris Lofton, who was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2007 and hid the disease - while going through treatment - from everyone but his coaches, trainers, parents and one teammate.

This is from a press release from the National Football Foundation.
TROY AIKMAN - QB, UCLA (1987-88)
"It's an honor to be included in such an exclusive group of players and coaches who have shaped the great tradition that college football enjoys. College football has meant so much to the sporting history of our country, and it means a lot to me personally. I appreciate that legacy, and I have great respect for those who have been honored before me. The opportunity to share this recognition with my former Cowboys teammate Jay Novacek will make this experience all the more rewarding."

Kevin Love has a new trainer who's helping him prepare for NBA workouts. Draft-eligible players can work out for teams beginning on June 3.
``He's just getting in optimum shape, basically, and getting ready for NBA workouts,'' Stan Love said.
Love is expected to remain in the NBA draft, but Stan Love said he has still not hired an agent, leaving the possibility open (although unlikely) that he'd return to school.

Last year, the Redskins family suffered a tragic loss when safety Sean Taylor was murdered during the season. Chris Horton, drafted in the seventh round by Washington, said Taylor was one of his favorites. Taylor was a hard-hitting safety, as is Horton.
``I love Sean Taylor,'' Horton said. ``I loved watching him play. I also like watching (safety) LaRon Landry. It's going to be fun. I'm going to make the best of it.''
Horton will participate in the Redskins three-day mini-camp, which starts tomorrow.

With everything going on (Stanback transfer, Olson surgery, etc.), I haven't been able to put up tidbits I have from some of the UCLA guys who were drafted over the weekend. So, I'll be sending some thing periodically.
Chris Horton, drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Redskins, is hopeful his experience under DeWayne Walker will help him adjust to the Redskins' defense.
``It's kind of similar to what we ran seeing as how coach (DeWayne) Walker came from the Redskins,'' Horton said. ``I think their system fits my game. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make the team.''

Rick Neuheisel can golf, too. He and his partner, Sinjin Smith, in a tie for second and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier and Sterling Sharpe in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater on Tuesday.
Neuheisel and Smith shot a 7-under 65.
The press release is below:

Here's what Rick Neuheisel, who was his QB coach for two years, said about Troy Aikman's induction into the National Football Foundation hall of fame.
"UCLA is thrilled that Troy is being inducted into the Hall of Fame," said UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel. "I had the pleasure of working with Troy as a graduate assistant during his redshirt year and as the quarterbacks coach during his senior season. Not only was he a great player, but a great team leader. Troy exemplifies the word 'class' and UCLA is extremely proud of all he has accomplished, both on and off the field."
More info on Aikman through a UCLA release follows:

Former UCLA QB Troy Aikman was one of 13 players named to the 2008 College Football Hall of Fame Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) Class. The release is below:

It's May 1, so that means it's four months away from Rick Neuheisel's debut when UCLA opens the season against Tennessee Sept. 1 at the Rose Bowl. It's never too early to start making predictions, so take the poll.