Sound Chalenski for Sound Defense : UCLA: Bruins get boost up front when Pitt transfer recovers from operation on shoulder.

UCLA’s Mike Chalenski was given two options last year before football season, and neither was very appealing.

He could play with a right shoulder that repeatedly was popping out of the socket, or he could sit out a second consecutive season.

Chalenski, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end who transferred from Pittsburgh, decided to play.

“I was told that I could play throughout the year, and the shoulder may stay in or pop out,” he said. “Or I could get surgery (before the season) or at the end of the season. Instead of sitting out another year, I wanted to play and help the team the best way I could. So I wanted to give it my best shot. But it (the shoulder) was a lot of worse than I thought it was.”

Chalenski missed four games and parts of several others because the shoulder slipped in and out of the socket.

“I was hampered a lot by it. My pass rush was hurt,” Chalenski said. “I was stuck playing the run a lot more than I wanted to. I had to wear a brace and couldn’t play in a lot of games. It really took a lot away from my game.”

His inability to play at full strength, coupled with injuries to defensive tackle Brian Kelly, weakened UCLA’s defense.

The Bruins were eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference in rushing defense, giving up 197.6 yards a game.

A week after the final game against USC last season, Chalenski had surgery on his shoulder.

“I’d say the shoulder is about 95% right now,” Chalenski said. “I should be 100% by the first game. It actually got stronger this summer with the weights, and the rehab went well.”

Chalenski was expected to help UCLA’s defense in 1990, along with linebacker Arnold Ale, a transfer from Notre Dame.

Ale played more extensively than Chalenski, but Ale also was hampered by an ankle injury.

Chalenski said he injured his shoulder in spring practice following his freshman season at Pittsburgh. But he didn’t realize the extent until he got into heavy contact last year.

He was a four-sport athlete at Brearley Regional High School in Kenilworth, N.J. He was a pitcher on the baseball team, a shotputter in track and field, played basketball and was regarded as one of the country’s top three high school linebackers as a senior. He also played fullback, rushing for more than than 3,800 yards in his career.

He was recruited by UCLA out of high school but decided to enroll at Pitt, closer to his home.

Chalenski shared playing time with defensive end Burt Grossman as a freshman in 1988 with the Panthers. Grossman was selected on the first round by the San Diego Chargers in 1989 NFL draft.

Chalenski decided to transfer for personal reasons.

He said that he liked UCLA when he made his recruiting trip. He said he was also impressed by UCLA’s victory over Nebraska in 1988.

So Chalenski contacted UCLA.

“ ‘If you guys want me I’ll come,’ I told them,” he said. “I originally went to Pittsburgh because it was an easier transition at the time.”

Chalenski is operating in the defensive line with Kelly and replacements for nose guard Emmanuel Onwutuebe, who has an ankle injury.

“They’ve been switching a lot of players in and out,” Chalenski said, identifying London Woodfin, Sale Isaia and Bruce Walker.

“We’ve had two scrimmages, and the defense has looked good. We’re coming along, and that’s what we need to do to have a successful season. Our offense, with Tommy Maddox at quarterback, will score some points.

“We’re just going to try to be one of the dominant defenses in the Pac-10, if not the country.”

Chalenski said the defense has become more aggressive.

“We’re making things happen instead of waiting on our heels,” he said, adding that he has been moved more to the inside, playing over a guard rather than a tackle.

As for Saturday night’s game against Brigham Young at the Rose Bowl, Chalenski said:

“We know they’re going to throw and they’re big up front, but we just have to attack them.”

Chalenski said he patterns his style of play after Howie Long, the Raiders’ veteran defensive lineman.

“He always seems to be around the ball,” Chalenski said.

Asked about UCLA’s prospects of reversing a trend of two losing seasons, Chalenski said:

“We’ll definitely be improved. We’re going to go straight forward this year, no looking back.”