Jerry Neuheisel and Kevin Craft, former UCLA QBs, played against each other and Neuheisel’s Seagulls edged Craft’s Big Blue 24-23 on Sunday.
— Kaz Nagatsuka (@kaznagatsuka) October 23, 2016
Former UCLA quarterbacks Jerry Neuheisel and Kevin Craft met in an X-League game in Japan this weekend. Neuheisel led his team to victory with 350 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
After playing at UCLA, Jerry Neuheisel moved to Japan and is now playing professionally with the Obic Seagulls. (Andy Holzman/Staff)
The eight former UCLA players who were drafted in this year’s NFL Draft and the four more who signed as undrafted free agents aren’t the only former Bruins embarking on professional football careers right now.
Former UCLA quarterback Jerry Neuheisel is currently playing professionally in Japan’s Obic Seagulls after he passed on his final year of eligibility with the Bruins.
The Japan Times caught up with Neuheisel after he played a spring tournament game this past weekend against the All-Mitsubishi Lions. He tossed a 67-yard touchdown pass on his first play, but also threw two interceptions during the game.
He told The Japan Times that he was “pleasantly surprised” with the talent in Japan after only a few weeks of practice, adding that it’s “second to none.”
UCLA quarterback Jerry Neuheisel (11) is heading into his final game as a Bruin, but could stay with the team in a different capacity. (John Valenzuela/Staff)
The Foster Farms Bowl will be the last game for Jerry Neuheisel, ending a UCLA career that he punctuated with one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent Bruin history.
His next step after Saturday, however, remains uncertain. The backup quarterback has made clear his aspirations to become a coach. Head coach Jim Mora hinted last month that the redshirt junior could become a UCLA graduate assistant, but said this week that the two have only engaged in “preliminary discussions.”
He did take the opportunity to laud Neuheisel’s dedication to the Bruins, pointing out that he is closing his career the same way he began it in 2012: as UCLA’s scout team offensive player of the year.
“Jerry’s awesome,” Mora said. “Jerry is something special. He’s one of my favorite people in the world after only knowing him for four years. How can you not love the guy? Continue reading “Jim Mora: UCLA backup QB Jerry Neuheisel is ‘something special’” »
Backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel and linebacker Kene Orjioke plan to finish their UCLA playing careers at the end of this season.
Both have a year of eligibility remaining, but are on track to graduate and were honored as part of the Bruins’ “Senior Night” ceremony during the team’s loss to Washington State last Saturday. Mora hinted that Neuheisel will become a graduate assistant next season.
“I don’t think you’ll see Jerry move very far away,” he said. Continue reading “QB Jerry Neuheisel, LB Kene Orjioke plan to finish UCLA careers” »
After backing up Brett Hundley, UCLA quarterback Jerry Neuheisel will now do the same for true freshman Josh Rosen.
The redshirt junior, whom head coach Jim Mora showered with praise yesterday, said he’s approaching the role the same way he always has.
“As a player, you’ve got to respect it,” Neuheisel said. “You don’t have to agree with it, but you have to respect it. What the head coach wants, the head coach gets. It’s our job to make sure we go get him the ‘W’ every time.”