Linebacker Kenny Young talks about Valorie Kondos Field‘s inspirational pregame speech that led the White Team to victory, his role as a leader on the defense and where the linebackers are right now.
Defensive back Adarius Pickett talks about his interception in the spring game, why this defensive backs group is better than last years and what it meant to see Takkarist McKinley get drafted.
Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch talks about the importance of the summer, his relationship with Josh Rosen and the problem with drops.
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley talks about where the defense is heading into the summer, the progression of Osa Odighizuwa and his favorite ice cream flavor.
Blue Team quarterback Josh Rosen talks about his performance at the spring game, his growing relationship with Jedd Fisch and his plans to get better this summer.
Blue team defensive end Rick Wade talks about what his focus was this spring and what he likes about playing with Jaelan Phillips.
Head coach Jim Mora talks about UCLA’s spring game, the importance of awarding Giovanni Gentosi a scholarship and where the team goes from here.
Freshman quarterback Austin Burton is one of four early enrollees with UCLA who are getting a head start on their college careers this spring. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
If you didn’t know any better, it would be hard to tab Jaelan Phillips as a kid who’s supposed to be in high school right now. On the football field, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound early enrollee blends right in among one of the deepest defensive line groups coach Angus McClure has ever had at the position. He answers media questions like a seasoned vet with good posture and direct eye contact. The one tell is his hair.
Phillips, who rose to high-school stardom with his black curls bursting from underneath his helmet, cut his signature locks before spring practice. He said he didn’t have time to style it anymore and the freshman, still conscious of the impression he was making on campus, didn’t want to look bad in class.
Scared that he would lose the power that made him the best recruit in the country, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings, Phillips was relieved when he didn’t lose a step when UCLA started spring practice. His coaches feel the same way.
“He’s an excellent player,” McClure said. “I’m expecting him to compete every day. He’s really picked up our system.”
More on Phillips’ transition to college, along with UCLA’s three other early enrollees Darnay Holmes, Austin Burton and Jimmy Jaggers.
Video interviews:
Here are notes/observations for the day: Continue reading “UCLA spring football day 14: The penultimate practice” »