Special teams will get attention at scrimmage

The evaluating process has been altered slightly as UCLA enters today’s scrimmage at Drake Stadium.

The Bruins are two weeks from their season opener at Stanford and the top of their depth chart remains the same since training camp opened. The last two seasons this scrimmage was a pass-or-fail event, with the attention focused on quarterback controversies. Today, grading will be more on a curve.

“We have an experienced group on both sides, offense and defense, so I want to see how efficient they play,” Coach Karl Dorrell said. “It’s kind of a mid-term grade for them; how much we’ve come along in camp. . . . It is different than in the past. It used to be you would grade the quarterback, pretty intently, when you had a quarterback issue.”

All issues for starting spots have been solved, although injuries may dictate some changes. Fullback Michael Pitre and guard Shannon Tevaga will not compete in the scrimmage. Personnel decisions for special teams are another matter.

Derrick Williams, who averaged a team-high 26 yards a kickoff return, had to quit football because of multiple concussions. Mike Norris, Matthew Slater, Kahlil Bell and Brett Lockett will try to fill that spot.

Either Terrence Austin or Alterraun Verner will handle punts, although Dorrell said returning punts is “definitely in the future” for freshman Courtney Viney.

“We want guys who can secure a catch and hit those seams,” Dorrell said. “There’s a chance in the scrimmage to see if those guys can make plays. . . . Everybody looks good running through [non-contact drills]. I can go run through the coverage team on air. It’s when bullets are flying, that’s what you need to see.”

The coverage teams will continue to get extra work, as teams will kick from the 30-yard line under a new NCAA rule.

“I’d say there has been 20-25% more emphasis on the special teams this year,” Dorrell said. “The kickoff return play is a big play in college football now, just like it is in the NFL. You have to spend time and energy on defending the kickoff return and being productive in the kickoff return.”

The scrimmage will begin at 11 a.m. at Drake Stadium. Admission is free.

Middle linebacker Christian Taylor went through drills Friday, a day after suffering a mild sprain in his left ankle. A more severe ankle injury slowed him last season.

Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker massaged the depth at that position, which handles the defensive signals, last spring. He swapped linebackers John Hale and Kyle Bosworth, with Hale moving inside.

“We saw this as an I.Q. position and we want a guy to get the defense lined up, do his job and keep moving,” Walker said. “Boz is a great athlete and he makes a lot of plays. We wanted to put him in a position where he could use his athleticism.”

Hale, who started three games at outside linebacker last season and was expecting to challenge Aaron Whittington for playing time, has embraced the role.

“It takes a lot more brains,” said Hale, a junior. “Playing outside, you have to worry about yourself and maybe two other guys. Playing the middle, you have to worry about 10 other guys.”

Taylor was expected to participate in the scrimmage today. . . . Receiver Osaar Rasshan returned to practice after sitting out two days with what was called a mild concussion.

chris.foster@latimes.com