UCLA Starts Spring Drills in Football

A year ago, there were introductions, UCLA football players to new Bruin coaches.

Today, as spring practice opens at Spaulding Field, everybody knows everybody else--save for new offensive line coach Mark Weber--and the accent is going to be on renewing acquaintances.

That, and a new look on defense and some new positions for some old players.

And there will be more hitting.

“We’re going to scrimmage the last 20 minutes of every day we’re wearing pads,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

“We’re going to give some kids some hits who didn’t get them last spring, and we’re going to take a long look at some people.”

Cade McNown is the only returning quarterback on scholarship, so perhaps drawing the longest look will be Drew Bennett, a walk-on quarterback who red-shirted last season.

“We’ve got to see if he can play,” Toledo said.

The defense will experiment with a four-man front.