Bruins Are Not Tight at This Position

There are new tight ends, but they amount to a familiar luxury.

Needing to replace All-Pacific 10-selection Mike Grieb and dependable backup Ryan Neufeld, UCLA has four to choose from and, as usual, may use as many as three at a time. That could be especially true the first two games. Playing without a scholarship fullback because of the handicapped-parking suspensions, the Bruins will go mostly with just a tailback in one-back formations against Boise State and Ohio State.

“It’s been awhile since we have not had a 255-pounder [at tight end], but there’s different ways to skin a cat,” tight end coach Gary Bernardi said. “We should be so athletic and quick, and maybe that makes up for the size that we don’t have.”

Gabe Crecion, who played two seasons before red-shirting in 1998, is back. So are Bryan Fletcher and Randy Hakes. The major addition is freshman Mike Seidman, who arrived from Westlake High as one of the most highly touted recruits in the nation at any position and has been even better than coaches expected.

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The likelihood grows that offensive stars Danny Farmer, DeShaun Foster and Freddie Mitchell will play in the secondary in obvious passing situations the first two games. Drew Bennett may also play defensive back to help offset the loss of 11 Bruins because of suspensions.