UCLA suspends cornerback Ishmael Adams after arrest

UCLA has suspended cornerback Ishmael Adams indefinitely following the player’s arrest this weekend on suspicion of robbery.

Head coach Jim Mora announced the decision on Tuesday afternoon, several hours after Adams posted $100,000 bail and was released from jail. The redshirt junior will not play in the Bruins’ season opener against Virginia on Saturday, and does not have his first court date until Sept. 22.

Mora said that he and his staff emphasize that players have a responsibility “to represent the highest ideals and moral values,” and that their position on the team puts them under greater scrutiny.

“When they do make a mistake, it’s magnified,” Mora said. “It tarnishes their reputation, and it certainly tarnishes — to some extent — the reputation of this program. So we do take it very, very seriously.”

Adams, an All-Pac-12 first team selection last season, had started 26 straight games for UCLA. He was expected to play mostly at nickelback this season, and reprise his role as a kick returner.

The Bruins could use redshirt freshmen Adarius Pickett and Denzel Fisher or true freshman Octavius Spencer to replace Adams at nickel. Alternatively, they could slide over safeties Jaleel Wadood and Randall Goforth, then move junior Tahaan Goodman into the starting lineup.

On special teams, receivers Mossi Johnson and Stephen Johnson could be in line to return more kicks.