UCLA Ready for Changing of Guard

The countdown has begun for the day when five quarterback understudies launch their bids to succeed Cade McNown at the control of UCLA’s offense.

McNown has been so durable and successful he will be making his 43rd consecutive start on New Year’s Day against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

Then a wide-open competition to become his replacement will begin.

Two former high school stars from the region, Ryan McCann from Agoura and Scott McEwan from Thousand Oaks, will join Drew Bennett, Cory Paus and recruit J.P. Losman in what looks like a free-for-all to determine who will be the next Bruin quarterback.

“They’re going to start on even ground,” said Al Borges, offensive coordinator. “It’s going to be hard. We’ve got to figure some things out. We’ve got to make some decisions early and try to narrow the field down a little so we can work with the guys we think have a chance to start.”

While McNown was busy in New York with Heisman Trophy duties last week, his backups were given the opportunity for an early audition.

“It’s been cool, because it’s given us a chance to look at all four,” Borges said of McNown’s absence.

Expected to arrive in April is Losman, who passed for 3,514 yards and 48 touchdowns this season for Venice High. He is finishing his studies early so he can enroll at UCLA in time for spring practice.

The logjam should make for an intriguing competition.

“It’s going to be very competitive,” McEwan said. “We’re all good friends. But once we step on the field, you can see it in each other’s eyes that we want it as bad as everyone.”

Said McCann: “I’ve never sat on the bench before. Hopefully, it’s almost over so I can start playing again. I look at it as a good opportunity. I just have to be ready and show I can play.”

There is no clear favorite--although Bennett has served as McNown’s backup and possesses the most knowledge of UCLA’s offense. Here’s a look at the candidates (year shown is for next fall) in the battle to come:

* Bennett, 6-5, 195 pounds, junior.

A former walk-on from Miramonte High in Orinda, Calif., Bennett was used as a receiver on Hail Mary pass situations this season. “He can run a 4.62 40 [-yard dash], has a vertical jump of 39 inches and he’s extremely intelligent,” Borges said. “His biggest thing is he hasn’t been in the arena to experience some of the successes and failures that go with the position.”

* Paus, 6-2, 205, freshman.

Some people have joked that Paus is McNown’s twin brother. “Cory is a charismatic kid who has some real ability,” Borges said. “He’s cut very much in a similar mode like McNown. He’s a runner and thrower.” Paus was a prep All-American in New Lenox, Ill. He plays with the kind of toughness that has been McNown’s trademark.

* McCann, 6-4, 200, freshman.

McCann is a left-hander with perhaps the strongest arm of the group. “I think he’s as good as a pure drop-back passer as we’ve had as a freshman,” Borges said. Like Paus, he needs to learn UCLA’s sophisticated offense.

* McEwan, 6-3, 200, sophomore.

There were doubts during McEwan’s redshirt year whether he was good enough to play at UCLA. Then came dramatic improvement, earning him the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. “Scott McEwan is probably as improved a player as we’ve had,” Borges said.

* Losman, 6-3, 185, freshman.

The UCLA coaches aren’t backing away from their decision to choose Losman over Kyle Boller of Hart as their only quarterback recruit. “I think he’s the best,” said Tony Chretin, co-coach at Venice. “I’ve never seen anyone with his arm strength, accuracy and ability to run.”

Remember, McNown was able to start the final eight games of his freshman season without the benefit of spring practice, so don’t think Losman can’t jump ahead of his four older competitors.

When a final decision is made this spring, UCLA is aware there might be consequences. These are five young, inexperienced but ambitious quarterbacks, all of whom want to play.

In college football today, quarterbacks don’t like sitting. Inevitably, many decide to transfer, and that could happen at UCLA. Ryan Fien and Steve Buck, former Bruin quarterbacks, left after it was clear they couldn’t beat out McNown.

“There’s only one who can really play,” Borges said. “You have to pick that guy, go with him and whatever happens from there, you hope everybody will be patient enough to know they could be in there at any time.”

The fact the new starter isn’t likely to have the same durability as McNown could be a factor in encouraging the backups to stay at UCLA.

In the end, the next starting quarterback will be the one who is able to improve the most from January to April, then during the summer.

“That’s what it comes down to,” McEwan said. “You can’t stop improving. This offense is so sophisticated and so advanced. I feel I made a big jump from last year, and I think Ryan and Cory are going to make another big jump.”

Paus, 18, could be the player to emerge as the strongest threat to Bennett if he makes the off-season improvement many Bruin watchers expect.

The quarterbacks know the pressure is on.

“There’s going to be a lot riding on us,” McEwan said. “We’re going to have a great team next year. We have a lot of outstanding players to surround us.”

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

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The next UCLA quarterback is . . .

Drew Bennett: Three-sport star in high school was a nonscholarship player as a freshman.

Cory Paus: Led high school team to 14-0 record and Illinois 6-A championship.

Ryan McCann: Former Agoura quarterback is left-hander with powerful arm.

Scott McEwan: Former Thousand Oaks quarterback is dramatically improved.

J.P. Losman: Venice High senior will graduate early to attend spring practice.