Bruins Accomplish Their Goal

For a growing program, spring practice is mainly about developing young players.

With this as a top priority, UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell accomplished his goal, even though the Bruins completed their spring drills Tuesday with an injured list that included 14 players on the two-deep list.

“The guys who had a chance to take some reps this spring did a nice job of just stepping forward and making progress on their own right and they’re going to be factors in what we’re going to be doing in the fall,” Dorrell said. “We wanted to build some depth and we definitely did that.... “

The quarterback situation with senior David Koral and redshirt freshmen Pat Cowan and Ben Olson will not be settled until fall, when senior Drew Olson, coming off major knee surgery, returns.

Dorrell, however, saw enough this spring from Koral, Cowan and Ben Olson to make him feel comfortable if Drew Olson doesn’t return at full strength.

“We’re going to come out of fall camp with a very productive quarterback,” Dorrell said. “Whether that’s Drew, who is the incumbent coming back, or some of the guys who were here this spring, we feel that we’re in pretty good shape.”

With returning starters such as linebackers Justin London, Wesley Walker and Spencer Havner, along with safety Chris Horton, linebacker Fred Holmes and tackle Kenneth Lombard sitting out most or all of spring because of injuries, the Bruins realized that spring was not a preview of next season.

Still, linebacker Bruce Davis, who switched from end, safety Eric McNeal, end William Snead, cornerback Michael Norris and tackles Chris Johnson and Nathan Skaggs improved their stock with strong showings.

“Even though we had injuries with our linebackers, it forced us to really look at our defensive backfield and defensive line,” senior cornerback Marcus Cassel said. “Our D-line has really stepped up and our young corners and safeties have been out there making plays. Even though we’re young, we’re showing that we can make plays. As one of the vets, that’s great to see.”