Tight end Austin Roberts talks about his drop on third-and-goal in overtime, correcting mistakes this week and learning from Thomas Duarte.
Tight end Caleb Wilson talks about transferring from USC, getting more playing time and what that season-opening loss taught him about Josh Rosen.
Head coach Jim Mora, courtesy UCLA Athletics
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley
Tight end Austin Roberts
Safety Adarius Pickett
Freshman linebacker Mique Juarez took some snaps with the first team defense on Saturday. Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze
The Bruins wrapped up the first week of spring practice Saturday with their first practice in full pads.
Watch video of Jim Mora’s press conference here
Read today’s notebook that focuses on the team’s balance of coaching and competition
Notes and observations:
— Jim Mora was happy with the team’s ability to practice safely in pads (i.e. minimal tackling to the ground, not going after collisions too aggressively, etc.) while still maintaining physicality and competitiveness.
— False starts continue to be a problem under the new snap counts, and Mora attributed it to “a lack of concentration.” The head coach noted that the problem generally improves as practice goes on, so he would like to see better concentration at the start of the session. Offensive lineman Kenny Lacy was probably the most penalized player on Saturday and spent a large amount of time running laps for false starting. Continue reading “Spring practice day 3: Bruins suit up in pads for first time” »
UCLA receiver Austin Roberts was a four-star recruit in 2014, but tore his ACL five months after signing his letter of intent. The redshirt freshman talked about his recovery, and his outlook for his first season on the field.
UCLA freshman receiver Austin Roberts will be out for the season with a torn ACL, head coach Jim Mora confirmed Thursday.
The four-star recruit from Carmel, Ind., had been rated the nation’s 13th-best prospect at his position, and could have contributed to a deep corps of receivers had he not cut wrong on his left knee during seven-on-seven workouts.
“That’s unfortunate, because he was really doing well in the offseason,” Mora said.
Cornerback Johnny Johnson will sit out too, missing his second season in a row after separating his shoulder again and undergoing surgery.
Mora said all the players who were “iffy” in spring are on track to be ready in training camp, which starts on Aug. 4 in San Bernardino. Of primary concern were offensive tackles Simon Goines (knee) and Conor McDermott (shoulder), though Mora said Goines won’t immediately be in the starting lineup.