Answers, Part V

There will be 11 sets of answers today, plus a few more Saturday. I will also have updates on practice later today. Now, here is the fifth grouping:

What’s the story with our recruitment of 2008 SG Gerardo Suero from NY. Considering that he would have to enroll in about a month, is his recruitment pretty serious?
He is awaiting word from the NCAA about his eligibility. He could also go to a prep school for a year if he doesn’t hear in a timely manner.

How has Aaron Ware looked in training camp?
Solid. He is not going to be off-the-charts with athleticism, but he is handling his assignments well and impressed the coaching staff with his play throughout training camp.

a couple years ago verner was a freshman standout in camp, and that immediately translated onto his play in the regular season. is there a freshman this year who had a similar level of camp, and who you expect to breakout right from day 1?
I don’t expect any freshmen to break out in the first game of the season, although it may happen. But at the end of the year, I think defensive back Rahim Moore and receiver Nelson Rosario are the most likely to have big seasons, as it correlates to freshmen.

you’ve made quite a few notes about andrew abbott in the last week weeks. Is this someone who you expect to contribute this year, or is he another chris meadows, someone who made the papers and blogs during camp last year but hardly saw the field during the season?
First, Abbott is currently out with a knee injury, but it’s not serious and he should be back shortly. Second, I don’t recall writing much about Chris Meadows last training camp because I didn’t expect him to play during the season. Third, I mentioned Abbott because the coaching staff continually told me how impressed they are with him. I don’t know if he will see the field this season, but I believe he will be on scholarship within the next two years.

Andy Keane was the #1 center coming out of high school three years ago, possessing the same ranking as guys like Jeff Byers and Kris O’Dowd in their respective years. What has happened to him? Especially with all the mixup along the line, why haven’t we heard his name once this summer? Any word on him transferring?

I don’t recall him being the No. 1 center coming out of high school, and he has not developed as the type of center many folks thought he would be. That said, when he was being recruited, there were discussions whether or not he would enter UCLA as a defensive or offensive lineman, so I never thought it was set in stone that he would be a great center.
As for him being on the offensive line, he was moved to defensive line in the offseason. And the transfer question is something that would happen after the season.

Coach Howland recently offered Matt Vogrich (2009 SG from Illinois) and he is scheduled to visit next month. Is he the fallback option if ucla doesn’t land avery bradley or michael snaer? Or would ucla like to sign him no matter what?
I think if Bradley and Snaer came to UCLA, it would severely alter the plans in regards to Vogrich. That said, getting Bradley and Snaer is not something that I am expecting to happen.

Michael Phelps vs. Usain Bolt – What’s your take on who was more impressive?
I’m going with Phelps because he had to swim so many races, and with different strokes. Watching Bolt was impressive, but Phelps was incredible.

Recently during radio interview, Coach Neuheisel said that Taylor Embree will get recognition before the season end. It seemed to me that Taylor Embree won’t be redshirting this year. Given the depth of our WR, who do you think will end up redshirting?
Neuheisel addressed this Thursday, and said, as of now, Jerry Johnson is the only receiver he is expecting to red-shirt. Embree, Rosario and Moutra will all be available fo the Tennessee game.

Do you see Ben Olson seeing playing time when(if) he comes back from surgery?
I’m not sure on this one because it is a complex issue. If the team is going well, why change quarterbacks? If the team is struggling and looking to build for next season, why go with a senior quarterback who will be gone at the end of the season?