Multi-Purpose Farmer Is Like No Other

With wavy blond hair and an easy-going manner, Danny Farmer is UCLA’s poster boy for the Southern California lifestyle.

He’s a beach-loving surfer dude who makes magnificent catches as a starting wide receiver for the fifth-ranked football team in the nation and slams down balls as a middle blocker for the 16-time NCAA champion volleyball team.

There’s no one quite like him in the nation.

“Look at you, calendar boy,” Fox Sports West TV broadcaster Bill Macdonald quipped last week as Farmer sat shirtless on a bench following football practice.

“He’s a unique athlete,” volleyball Coach Al Scates said.

One day, Farmer might have to decide between playing in the NFL and playing pro beach volleyball.

As soon as Farmer finishes up his duties catching passes from quarterback Cade McNown on New Year’s Day in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M;, he’ll take a few days off, then hustle to volleyball practice because the Bruins have a trip scheduled for Hawaii on Jan. 7.

“That’s definitely motivation to get ready,” he said.

Ryan Stromsborg, Farmer’s cousin who played shortstop at USC and is in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, marvels at Farmer’s athletic skills.

“You look at him and you don’t take him seriously,” he said. “He looks like a surfer bum, a guy you see hanging out at the beach. I don’t know if there’s a helmet big enough for his afro. He’s got something about him he can pick out any sport and do it well.”

Farmer, 6 feet 3 and 205 pounds, played three sports at Loyola High. He didn’t receive a scholarship when he enrolled at UCLA in 1995, but the coaches knew he came from an athletic family. His father, George, was a star wide receiver at UCLA from 1967-69, and uncle Dave played at USC.

“I didn’t really promote myself,” Farmer said. “I didn’t do what other kids did. Right when football was over, all the other kids would be going to scouting combines. I just went straight into basketball. Then after basketball, I went straight into volleyball. I’d take it one day at a time and not worry about a college scholarship.”

That’s the real Farmer--he’s an honor student and star athlete who cares more about having fun and making sure he’s a good citizen.

Before football practice last week, when the 6-year-old son of Chaminade High Athletic Director Ed Croson was offering high-fives to any UCLA player who walked past, Farmer quickly stuck out his hand.

“I’ve been taught it doesn’t really matter what you do on the field,” he said. “It’s how you carry yourself as a person.”

Farmer, 20, has a twin brother, Tim, who plays volleyball at Loyola Marymount. The two faced each other for the first time last season.

“It was an awesome experience,” Danny said. “My mom wore an LMU sweatshirt and UCLA hat. My dad was so nervous he’d stand in different parts of the gym.”

Farmer led UCLA in receptions as a freshman last year when he caught 31 passes for 524 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he has caught 37 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns.

His speed is always underestimated. Against Washington this season, he ran away from defenders on an inside screen en route to a 60-yard touchdown. He had an 88-yard TD reception last year against Tennessee.

“I can’t really run for a clock because there’s nothing to run for,” he said. “If you’re running for an end zone, it’s a different story. A lot of it is running with your heart.”

On Christmas Day, the Stromsborgs will drive from their Encino home to have dinner with the Farmers in Los Angeles. By the time friends are included, there’s 40 to 50 people.

Kevin Stromsborg, a former Notre Dame High linebacker, is a freshman walk-on at UCLA who has become inseparable from his cousin. Stromsborg’s mother is the sister of Farmer’s mother.

“We couldn’t be happier to have the families we have,” he said.

After dinner, the ties will be taken off and the older Farmers and Stromsborgs will take on the younger family members in the annual Christmas basketball game. The old guys have never lost.

“We’re going to take home the first victory,” Danny promised.

If not, he has another idea.

“Maybe this year we’ll have a Christmas surf-off at the beach,” he said.

Whatever happens, Farmer will keep making his father proud.

“He lets me be myself, which a lot of fathers don’t do,” he said.

* Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422.