UCLA linebackers work through drills at practice. Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer
Here’s the story from day 3 of practice leading with the long-awaited return of Eddie Vanderdoes. Also includes notes about Takkarist McKinley‘s lofty goals and the first scuffle of training camp.
Here are photos from day 3.
Here are video interviews:
Notes/observations from practice:
- It was the first day of pads, although they weren’t full pads, just shells and shorts. We’re making progress though.
- The lack of full pads didn’t detract from physical play. We had a few scuffles, the most notable one being between McKinley and receiver Alex Van Dyke. Safety Tahaan Goodman and linebacker Mique Juarez combined to lay a big hit on running back Jalen Starks during the 9-on-7 period and Van Dyke stepped in to stand up for the running back. McKinley did the same for his defensive teammates and there was some pushing and shoving. McKinley lost his helmet in the scuffle, but other teammates stepped in to defuse the situation.
- Quarterback Matt Lynch took his first reps at quarterback in an 11-on-11 period during fall camp. Apparently building off his stellar performance in 7-on-7s on Tuesday, Lynch got the first crack at third-string quarterback snaps. He’s certainly improved since spring camp and it seems like he’s worked really hard on his throwing motion, presumably with quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo, making it much smoother.
- Soso Jamabo had a good day at running back, breaking off a few good runs down the sidelines and up the middle.
- Nate Starks fumbled during 9-on-7 and DeChaun Holiday scooped up the ball and ran it back for the defense.
- Van Dyke, along with getting into that scuffle, had a productive practice. He made a lot of good catches working with the second-team offense and Mike Fafaul, including one during the first team period in which Fafaul rolled out to his right and found Van Dyke coming back to the play in the middle of the field.
- Linebackers coach Scott White took a lot of care in teaching the young linebackers Wednesday during individual drills. I’m unsure if this was at all out of the ordinary, but I really noticed it this time. He would get down on a knee and literally hold a player’s foot down during the drill so he wouldn’t shuffle his feet before pushing off toward the bag. It yielded immediate results for the young group of linebackers (Juarez, Lokeni Toailoa, Krys Barnes and Breland Brandt).
- McKinley picked up a minor shoulder injury, it seemed, during a team period. I think he just got mixed up in a crowd and took a hit to the right shoulder. He was shaken up and walked off the field gingerly. He finished practice with a shoulder brace on and said after practice he was fine.
- Wide receiver Theo Howard was out on Wednesday after suffering what looked like a hamstring injury on Tuesday. He was on the sideline working out individually.
- Tight end Nate Iese made a leaping catch from Josh Rosen in the final team period.
- J.J. Molson made 3 of 5 field goals, missing his final two. He pushed his fourth attempt barely wide right and his final one came up short. Andrew Strauch was 2 for 5, making his first and third attempts. He came up short on both his fourth and fifth tries.