Rasshan’s receptive to change in duties

UCLA receiver Osaar Rasshan cut deep across the middle, extended his 6-foot-4 body in mid-air and, with a Velcro-touch, snagged the football before smacking into the ground.

A coach could replay that over and over in film sessions, just for the viewing pleasure.

Moments later, Rasshan side-stepped a defender, broke into the open. All he had to do was catch the bull’s-eye pass. He dropped it like it was white hot, or painted cardinal and gold.

A coach will certainly replay that one to make a point.

Those isolated incidents during UCLA’s practice Monday demonstrate a work still in progress, as Rasshan makes the move from quarterback to wide receiver. Yet, there is a high ceiling on the type of receiver who can evolve from the move.

“He’s really, really eager to get himself caught up,” Coach Karl Dorrell said. “When you have a guy like that, he’ll catch up fast and grow fast. All of sudden he’s a pretty integral part of your offense. He’s pretty hungry right now, which is a good sign.”

The signs were easy to read for Rasshan as well. His two years at UCLA -- one as a redshirt -- amounted to this in the Bruins’ media guide:

2005 -- Did not see action in his first season in the program. Did a fine job running the scout team offense.

2006 -- Did not see action in his second season in the program and has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

With junior Ben Olson in place at quarterback and time ticking away, Rasshan looked for an opportunity elsewhere and asked to switch positions after spring practice.

“I knew I was one of the more athletic players on the team and I can definitely help the team out,” Rasshan said. “I’m loving it right now with the little success I’ve had on the field. I can see myself getting better day to day.”

There has been rapid improvement. Rasshan uses his 212-pound frame as an asset, and his development could earn him playing time this season.

“He’s already aggressive to the ball,” wide receivers coach Eric Scott said.

The details are the next step.

“As a receiver, you have to understand the blocking techniques, the route techniques, all those things,” Dorrell said. “He does a lot of those things well, it’s just the smaller detail things he has to understand.”

The afternoon practice Monday centered on special teams.

Mike Norris, Matthew Slater, Kahlil Bell and Brett Lockett are competing to return kickoffs, with Ryen Carew having an outside chance. Terrence Austin and Alterraun Verner will probably handle punts, with Ryan Graves on the edge of the competition.

“We’ll know better after the scrimmage” Saturday, Dorrell said. “We’ll see who are the better returners.”

Guard Shannon Tevaga (wrist) and fullback Michael Pitre (knee) missed Monday’s morning’s practice to undergo MRI tests. Neither test showed a serious injury. “After 10 days of practice, we had a good MRI day,” Dorrell said. . . . Starting defensive tackle Kevin Brown, injured in Sunday’s practice, did not suit up Monday because of a bruise in his upper right leg, according to Dorrell. . . . Center Micah Reed injured his ankle during the morning session, but X-rays were negative, Dorrell said.

chris.foster@latimes.com