UCLA Quarterback Picture Remains Unsettled

Homer Smith, starting his third tenure as UCLA’s offensive coordinator, liked what he saw of the Bruin quarterbacks in four weeks of spring football practice.

But Smith didn’t like one of them enough to declare him superior to the others.

Although returning starter Bret Johnson enjoyed the most productive spring, in Smith’s opinion, it would not be improbable for either Jim Bonds or Tommy Maddox to emerge as the starter when UCLA opens its season with a nationally televised game against Oklahoma Sept. 8 at the Rose Bowl.

“The competition is close,” Smith said Saturday as spring practice drew to a close in Westwood. “Jim Bonds has a cannon and Tommy Maddox brings uncommon tools to the competition. Bret is intense and has all the background and, overall, has done the best job, but it’s close.”

As a redshirt freshman last fall, Johnson passed for 1,791 yards and 12 touchdowns, starting all 11 games, but UCLA’s 3-7-1 record was its worst since 1971 and the Bruins ranked ninth offensively in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Bonds, as Johnson’s backup, passed for 300 yards and a touchdown, finishing four games after Johnson was pulled. Maddox, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Bedford, Tex., was redshirted.

Bonds enjoyed the best spring “from the neck up,” more readily assimilating Smith’s offensive philosophies, Smith said, but the 6-foot junior from Valencia needs to improve his ball-handling in order to take full advantage of his superior arm strength.

Maddox, the tallest of the three, lacks major college experience but brings to the competition “height, vision, quick feet and a natural throwing arm,” Smith said. “He has all the tools you’re usually one or two short of when you look at a quarterback.”

A fourth quarterback, Bert Emanuel, might see limited duty in short-yardage situations, Smith said, but is not yet ready to challenge Johnson, Bonds and Maddox.

It’s possible, Smith said, that UCLA could use two quarterbacks, alternating them as the situation dictates. The Bruins plan to incorporate more option plays into their offense next season.

“Our situation is one where summer work could make a difference,” Smith said. “If we had to play a game right now, Bret would jump in there. He’s done a terrific job in the spring and would do a terrific job.

“But we are not where we want to be. We must improve.”

Bruin Notes

Coach Terry Donahue described himself as “very pleased” with the energy, enthusiasm and resolve exhibited by the Bruins in spring practice. “What happened to us last year was a very unusual occurrence,” Donahue said. “I think all of us want to demonstrate quite clearly that it’s a once-every-10 years happening and we can get over it very quickly.” . . . Donahue, on Homer Smith: “I’ve given the responsibility for the quarterback position--and the offense--to Homer and I don’t think anybody could do a better job of developing or evaluating that position.”

Smith, on UCLA’s reluctance to throw deep last season: “Sometimes, the ball didn’t go downfield as much as needed to keep people at bay.” . . . Smith said that freshman Bert Emanuel possesses “gifted legs” and was impressive at times, but added: “His arm strength isn’t there. He needs months on the medicine ball. He would not be ready for the clock drives against USC, which is kind of the ultimate criterion by which to judge what we do.”

Arnold Ale, a transfer from Notre Dame, missed all of spring practice because of a hamstring tear, but is still expected to start next fall at inside linebacker. “He’s a real outstanding prospect and a big-time player,” Donahue said.

Roman Phifer, suspended last season after being convicted of misdemeanor battery, is listed No. 1 on the depth chart at outside linebacker. . . . The status of strong safety Willie Crawford, suspended last season after being convicted of theft, remains unchanged “pending the resolution of his outside problems,” Donahue said. Crawford pleaded guilty last month to a charge of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. Sentencing is scheduled for May 30.

Lance Zeno, UCLA’s only returning starter in the offensive line, has moved from guard to center, where he played as a freshman. “We felt that in rebuilding our offensive line, it would be really nice to have a senior with leadership ability and experience always setting the huddle,” Donahue said. “Also, we thought Lance might play better at center.”