COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Not Listening to Agents, Edwards Says

The phone has been ringing frequently at Donnie Edwards’ apartment in West Hollywood.

Edwards, a junior linebacker, has stood out in UCLA’s miserable season, perhaps never as much as Saturday, when he had 16 tackles--six for losses--at Arizona, and there are agents who would like to negotiate an NFL contract for him.

“I’m not really listening, because I’m more concerned about playing now and winning,” said Edwards, who will graduate in the winter and has applied to graduate school with the idea of playing next season.

But he will send a letter to the NFL at season’s end, inquiring about his chances in the 1995 draft. It’s something almost every top junior, including UCLA tackle Jonathan Ogden, will do.

At 220 pounds, Edwards is light for an NFL linebacker, but that’s something that can change with money.

“We only get one meal a day at the training table, and I have to budget my money for my apartment and phone bill,” he said. “Sometimes I don’t eat.”

Last season, Edwards played at 230 pounds, but he says he feels more comfortable a little lighter.

He likens his situation to that of the Rams’ Roman Phifer, who also was considered light when he was playing with the Bruins.

“I talk to him a lot, and I think I’m a lot like him,” Edwards said.

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Coach Terry Donahue said he expects wide receiver J.J. Stokes to be ready to start against Stanford on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. “I think he will have a full week of practice, and I don’t think he’s far away from being ready,” Donahue said.

Stokes played Saturday at Arizona, catching one pass for 18 yards, after sitting out all but one half of one game since being injured in the season opener against Tennessee. Wide receiver Bryan Adams is expected to sit out Saturday’s game after suffering a separated left shoulder while making a catch at Arizona.