Jim Mora: Asiantii Woulard’s transfer wasn’t a surprise

UCLA head coach Jim Mora speaks during Pac-12 Football Media Days at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank on Thursday, July 30, 2015. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/Pasadena Star-News)

UCLA head coach Jim Mora speaks during Pac-12 Football Media Days at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank on Thursday, July 30, 2015. (Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff)

Asiantii Woulard’s decision to transfer out of UCLA thinned out the Bruins’ quarterback rotation, but it also wasn’t a stunner.

“I had a feeling it was coming,” head coach Jim Mora said Thursday. “Some of the indicators that I got from him, and really kind of the way the spring went. There were some family issues. He wanted to get closer to home. He was struggling a little bit. I hope he does well.”

The former four-star recruit asked out of Westwood back in June, opting to go back to his home state and enroll at the University of South Florida. He is currently seeking a waiver to play immediately as a redshirt sophomore.

Mora said that while UCLA could have used Woulard in the still-undecided quarterback race, his departure also makes it easier for coaches to divide practice reps between Josh Rosen, Jerry Neuheisel and Mike Fafaul.

Some more notes from the UCLA’s portion of Pac-12 Media Days:

» Mora said there will be no additional punishment for five-star running back Soso Jamabo, who was arrested this summer for fleeing police — but never indicted. The Plano, Texas native enrolled along with the rest of the 2015 signing class, and will be ready when UCLA starts training camp in August.

» Asked about the status of cornerback Justin Combs, Mora said that there have been no changes to UCLA’s roster. The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is still deciding whether or not to press charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs for his alleged kettlebell fight at UCLA last month.

» Fourth-year starting center Jake Brendel only had good things to say about Rosen, who is widely expected by both fans and media to win the starting spot as a true freshman.

“The first thing he did when he was on campus was, he said, ‘Hey, when can I come over? When can I talk to you about the offense?'” Brendel said. “He was really eager to get started, which is something that’s good for a young guy. He has the right head on his shoulders to be successful. He just needs to catch up mentally, to the level where Jerry (Neuheisel) is at right now.”

Brendel also said that he doesn’t treat Rosen any differently in practices to account for his inexperience.

» Mora and linebacker Deon Hollins both mentioned the defense being more aggressive this season, and the latter went on to heap praise on new defensive coordinator Tom Bradley’s “wisdom.”

“He focuses on the small things that people tend to overlook,” Hollins said. “A normal linebacker coach would tell you, ‘Square up and make your tackle.’ He’s going to tell you, ‘Have your back straight, have your neck–.” The emphasis on the small things is what his biggest trait is.”

» A few notes on the incoming freshmen …

Stephen Johnson will start working as a slot receiver, although he could switch to the defensive backfield fairly easily if needed.

Tight end Chris Clark will work mostly with offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, but also with receivers coach Eric Yarber, offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, and running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu.

Quarterbacks have told Mora that they’ve been impressed with Johnson, Clark and Cordell Broadus, as well as with Jamabo’s pass-catching abilities.

Asked if there’s a chance Fred Ulu-Perry could switch to defense, Mora said the four-star recruit has “special qualities” as an offensive guard or center.

» UCLA has struggled with penalties in the last few seasons. At least last season, Mora said that many of those flags were caused because players weren’t as fundamentally sound as they should have been — forcing them to grab or hold after being out of position.

But what he needs to do to reduce those flags still seems unclear.

“They’re frustrating to me, especially when they’re drive killers,” Mora said. “But it’s a fine line you walk. It’s like fumbles or interceptions. Sometimes, you talk about it, the more it happens. Or you can’t get any sacks. You start talking about how you can’t get any sacks. Sometimes, you’ve got to relax it a little bit.”

Mora was optimistic that David Coleman — who came from the NFL to become the Pac-12’s new vice president of officiating — can help foster dialogue with teams and make playcalling more consistent.

» UCLA is going to stay at Cal State San Bernardino forever! Forever being two weeks out of every year, for as long as Mora is around.

One hopeful reporter asked the coach if he’d thought about moving the location of the Bruins’ preseason training camp, which will be in the Inland Empire for the fourth straight time this August.

“San Bernardino is the perfect spot for us,” Mora said. “It’s just rustic enough that it’s not always as comfortable as they would like it, yet the facilities are amazing. They take great care of us. The weather is perfect. The mountain’s there. The fields are nice. We have a lot of space.”

Added Hollins: “When everyone experiencing a certain type of trauma, you sort of gel together.”

» Finally, a video recap of the day with me and columnist Vinny Bonsignore: