Cubs becoming Bruins in front of wide-open eyes
The murmuring started early in UCLA's practice late last week, after a relatively non-descript check-down pass from Bruins freshman quarterback Brett Hundley.
Hundley's 6-foot-3, 265-pound target caught the ball in stride, and took off down the middle of the field, his jersey clinging on to his thick frame.
The number on the jersey, though?
A bit foreign.
But it wouldn't be the last time UCLA fans saw No. 85 with the ball, and by the end of practice, most knew it belonged to John Young.
The redshirt freshman tight end out of Loyola High had his Bruin debut delayed a year after having shoulder surgery during the summer of 2010, after a torn labrum was revealed to be worse than anticipated.
But with senior Cory Harkey and junior Joseph Fauria as the only tight ends on scholarship for UCLA, Young is getting his chance to make a first impression.
"It was difficult - it's different coming into your junior year and getting injured; I wasn't even acclimated to what college football was like," Young said. "Missing my first year, before I could even get going, was rough."
He's getting his chance to open some eyes, and there are a bunch of new eyes.
With Mike Johnson, Jim Mastro and Angus McClure all new to the offensive coaching staff, Young is not having to rewrite preconceived opinions. All the Bruins in spring ball have a clean slate, and Young is just trying to make the most of his.
"I'm just a freshman out there trying to earn a spot," said Young, the No. 25-rated tight end in the country out of high school by Scout.com. "I'm not really coming in as a veteran at all. I just look at it as my time to learn. It's extremely important to show the coaches what I'm about, let them know I'm here for real. I'm not here to just get a jersey and be on the sidelines."
Young isn't the only Loyola Cub-turned-UCLA Bruin to be on display early in the spring ball session.
Sophomore Anthony Barr has added some bulk to his frame, entering the spring at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, but has kept up the speed that made him one of the premier recruits in the country out of Loyola.
Situated in the murky quagmire that is the F-back position, Barr had just nine catches for 66 yards and six carries for 29 yards as a freshman while playing all 12 games, with four starts. But it was his blocking and aggressiveness that drew raves.
Now, he's trying to prove that his repertoire includes a big-play ability that he displayed for the Cubs.
"I would like that, just to be in position to make plays," Barr said. "Not even necessarily be a wide receiver, just be in the position to get the ball in space. Last year we focused on getting the run game going and we kind of faded away from the pass game, but this year with Coach Johnson, we're going to have a good balance, and I'm looking forward to it."
Good review,Jon. Thanks.
cfoster is annoying. i support gold in the octagon!
Did Chris Foster of the LA times accuse you of stealing material?
How is getting hurt Freshman year worse thant Junior year? He was going to RedShirt anyway. That's worse than getting hurt Junior year when you might be the starter?
Jon, sometimes I think you lead the witness with your line of questioning. Open ended questions might be better.
BTW, isn't Fauria a Junior now?