Price is moving up the charts

A telling snippet from UCLA football practice this week:

Freshman defensive tackle Brian Price pushing forward in a tangle with senior Chris Joseph, the Bruins’ savvy center.

Standing nearby, senior defensive tackle Kevin Brown said in admiration, “Now that’s a bull rush.”

Price’s college career is just a little more than two weeks old -- his first practice wasn’t until Sept. 16, delayed while the NCAA Clearinghouse sorted through his academic records from Crenshaw High and a technical school he attended -- but the Bruins’ prize recruit is already pushing for more playing time.

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Price was on the field for a couple of plays against Washington on Sept. 22, then played a few more against Oregon State last Saturday -- shedding two blockers on one play.

Though freshmen historically haven’t played much in Karl Dorrell’s tenure as head coach, expect to see more and more of Price.

“He’s learning the defense and the level of play, trying to get acclimated to both at the same time,” UCLA defensive coordinator Dwayne Walker said. “There’s going to be an adjustment period. But he’s picked up some things already. I was watching tape [Tuesday] night and going, ‘Boy, look at this move, look at that move.’ ”

Price, who missed six weeks of practice and three games, is now second on the depth chart, behind Jess Ward, at one defensive tackle spot.

“I’ve been getting a good feel for college football,” Price said. “The No. 1 thing in college football is it’s a little faster. If I play like I can play, the way the coaches want me to play, I’ll be fine.”

Walker and defensive line coach Todd Howard are seeing to that.

“I’ve been riding him a little bit, trying to raise up his expectations,” Walker said. “We raised the bar a little bit for him.”

Said Price: “I still have a lot to learn. . . . Right now, the pass defense is easier for me. I’m really more of a pass rusher. But I can stop the run.”

Senior tailback Chris Markey was downgraded from doubtful to unlikely for the Notre Dame game after sitting out a third consecutive practice Thursday because of turf toe.

The absence of the Bruins’ second-leading rusher will place a heavier burden on starter Kahlil Bell and backups Chane Moline and Christian Ramirez, who have only 13 carries between them. Dorrell said his reserves could handle the added load.

“With Chane and Christian, those are two good young backs who have had good camps,” Dorrell said. “When they have played in some games already, they have played well and been very productive.

“One man’s loss is another man’s gain right here. They’re both going to have an opportunity to play, and I’m anxious to watch them play. I’m pretty confident they’ll do well.”

There was better news on the receiving front. Senior Marcus Everett, who has missed the last two games because of a sprained ankle, is expected to play Saturday. And an MRI exam on the sprained ankle of receiver Gavin Ketchum revealed no ligament damage, meaning there is a chance he could return when the Bruins play Cal on Oct. 20. . . . Guard Shannon Tevaga, recovering from a knee injury suffered against Utah on Sept. 15, will return against Notre Dame, Dorrell said, though he will not start. . . . Defensive end Nikola Dragovic is expected to be available Saturday even though he continued to be held out of practice Thursday because of a groin injury.

chris.foster@latimes.com

ben.bolch@latimes.com