It’s a Big Start for Stanley

The job as starting fullback that Matt Stanley held briefly last season becomes his on a full-time basis now with the departure of Durell Price.

It was Stanley the walk-on who provided one of the brightest Bruin moments of 1999 when he started two games while Price served a suspension. One of those was at Ohio State, and Stanley, who attended junior high and high school in Columbus, Ohio, had a touchdown reception. After the game, he was put on scholarship.

Stanley returned to a reserve role the next week, finishing with only 10 carries and five receptions, but arrived to fall camp as the only fullback with experience.

“The nervousness will never go away,” Stanley said. “But thinking about last year, it was a learning experience. I feel like I can play in a big crowd and handle it.”

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Paul Nelson’s career has taken another turn: the San Bernardino High product told Coach Bob Toledo that he is transferring, a move he had previously considered. Nelson was a scout-team receiver two seasons ago, played defensive back as a redshirt freshman and was moved to receiver this season, but probably would have had a minor role because of depth there.

“He wants to go somewhere he can catch a lot of balls,” Toledo said. “It wasn’t going to happen for him here.”

Redshirt freshman Ryan Smith, who would have had even less impact at receiver, also quit.