Brief thoughts on Presley/Viney transfer

The problem with college football is that sometimes talented players get lost in the shuffle, and no matter how much promise they show or how much they may tantalize with size or speed, it just doesn’t come to fruition.

In Morrell Presley’s brief time at UCLA, all that was coupled with myriad off-the-field issues and lapses in judgment. Then pretty soon after Anthony Barr got on campus, it was clear that he would push for time in the lineup. Then after the two went relatively back-and-forth last year, Barr’s productivity took a massive leap this spring and Presley somewhat disappeared.

The top-ranked tight end in the country out of high school appeared was back at that spot for much of spring ball, but still, Cory Harkey and Joseph Fauria were roadblocks for the rising junior.

So his decision to move on is understandable. New coach, but same system, same tweener body and same hole to dig out of when trying to prove maturity and good behavior. I expect him to go to a good school, and who knows, maybe he could develop into a major player. But I don’t think it would’ve happened at UCLA.

Then there’s Viney, who I thought should have played more all along and was stuck behind Rick Neuheisel’s infatuation with bigger players. I think his decision to leave is more perplexing – despite the fact that he’ll graduate from UCLA and still be able to transfer to a FBS school. If it were me, I’d probably stay and close out my career. But I understand the desire to play, and all the power to him.