Tag Archives: Dwight Williams

UCLA spring camp notes: Josh Rosen gets more reps at QB

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— UCLA head coach Jim Mora said earlier this week that each practice will focus on two quarterbacks at a time. Thursday’s session had Mike Fafaul working with the first-string offense, and Josh Rosen working with the second-string — which meant an offensive line that is currently using two walk-ons due to injuries.

Rosen had his share of freshman moments in his first extended bit of action, throwing an interception that linebacker Willie Green returned for a touchdown. His footwork looked good and he still clearly has the highest ceiling of all the quarterbacks, but there will be some growing pains along the way. Continue reading “UCLA spring camp notes: Josh Rosen gets more reps at QB” »

UCLA spring camp notes: Myles Jack moves to inside linebacker

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UCLA started spring camp today, and while the starting quarterback race is still in its very early stages, but here are some other developments from this morning session.

— Myles Jack will be working a lot at inside linebacker this spring, although head coach Jim Mora said the junior will get reps outside as well. It’s a significant move for the UCLA defense, but not one that’s overly surprising given Jack’s skill set.

For all his talents, the 6-foot-1 linebacker has never been the most dangerous pass rusher. On the other hand, he matches up well in coverage even against some top receivers, and is so versatile moving sideline to sideline. The stats bear this out: he only has one sack in two season, but has 18 pass breakups in that same period.

No other Pac-12 linebacker can match that statistic in that same span. Second place goes to USC’s Hayes Pullard, who had 14.

“It gets him to the middle of the field where we can utilize his speed and things like that,” Mora said of Jack’s move. “If there was a disadvantage — some of the things he does on the outside puts him in man-to-man coverage situations. He’s a little less involved with that when he’s in the middle of the defense.”

Deon Hollins and Aaron Wallace are playing outside now, while sophomore Kenny Young is next to Jack.

Jack was also responsible for one of the session’s most notable plays. During one-on-one drills, he got tangled up with receiver Mossi Johnson on a contested ball. Both came down with at least one hand wrapped around the pass, and essentially wrestled each other for 15-20 seconds before Jack came up with it.

— Other position changes: offensive lineman Colby Cyburt is switching to tight end; offensive guard NaJee Toran is moving to the defensive line; linebacker Dwight Williams is moving to safety.

— Randall Goforth is back in a non-contact red jersey after undergoing surgeries on both shoulders. He’s getting a waiver for 2014 — a season that only saw him play two games — and will be a redshirt junior this upcoming season. Continue reading “UCLA spring camp notes: Myles Jack moves to inside linebacker” »

Jordan Lasley, Dwight Williams join UCLA practice after rules violation

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Two of three UCLA freshmen joined the team on Monday after violating team rules.

Receiver Jordan Lasley and linebacker Dwight Williams participated in the Bruins’ evening practice. Both, along with quarterback Aaron Sharp, had originally been left home until Aug. 31 — after the season opener at Virginia.

“Those three guys did not live up to the standards that we’re looking for through the summer months,” head coach Jim Mora said last week.

Lasley and Williams graduated from Gardena Serra, while Sharp is from Houston’s Summer Creek High. (UPDATE: Aaron Sharp will join the team for Tuesday’s practice.)

UCLA notes: Three true freshmen not participating in training camp

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» A trio of true freshmen were left off UCLA’s training camp roster. Quarterback Aaron Sharp, linebacker Dwight Williams and receiver Jordan Lasley did not practice on Monday, and will not return to the team until Aug. 31, after UCLA’s season opener at Virginia.

“Those three guys did not live up to the standards that we’re looking for through the summer months,” head coach Mora said.

None of the three were expected to contribute immediately.

» Receiver Darren Andrews is officially out for the season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee. He will redshirt the upcoming season after initially tearing knee ligaments late last November, ending a season in which he caught four passes for 52 yards.

Cornerback Johnny Johnson is also out for the season after injuring his shoulder for the second year in a row. He had already redshirted the 2013 campaign.

» Promising inside receiver Mossi Johnson injured his left shoulder on Monday, and left the field with a UCLA staffer helping him hold his arm still. Mora said he hoped it was just a mild AC sprain.

Johnson played well in spring camp, and was likely the first receiver off the bench for either Devin Fuller or Thomas Duarte.

» Priest Willis — whom Mora once lauded as a “picture-perfect, beautiful corner” — struggled as a freshman transitioning over from safety. Continue reading “UCLA notes: Three true freshmen not participating in training camp” »

UCLA lands linebacker Dwight Williams, misses Joe Mixon

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In a surprise move, four-star linebacker Dwight Williams put on a UCLA hat Saturday morning. The Gardena Serra standout announced his decision during the second quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

The Bruins had verbal commitments from four other Army All-Americans. Zach Whitley, the No. 6 linebacker in the country, called assistant coach Adrian Klemm Friday night to flip his decision from Alabama and will enroll early. UCLA also secured prior verbals from three other four-star recruits at the bowl: receiver Austin Roberts, cornerback Jaleel Wadood, defensive tackle Ainuu Taua.

The team did miss out on two other announcements in San Antonio. Continue reading “UCLA lands linebacker Dwight Williams, misses Joe Mixon” »