Walker Says He’s Looking Forward to Stuffing the Run

No one delivered more crunching hits during UCLA’s training camp than linebacker Wesley Walker.

From a textbook tackle on freshman running back Ben Idemundia -- the first day the Bruins wore shoulder pads -- to a stop on senior Manuel White in the final two-a-day practice, Walker always seemed to be in the middle of the action.

Now Walker has his sights set on Oklahoma State, the Bruins’ opponent in Saturday’s opener at the Rose Bowl.

“As a linebacker, you have to love a team that is going to come out and try and run the ball at you,” said Walker, who held off a challenge from freshman Aaron Whittington and will start at outside linebacker.

“It gives you an opportunity to make plays. You want them to try that so you can prove that you can stop the run.”

Last season, Walker played in 12 games with one start when he stepped in for injured Spencer Havner. This season, Walker, a junior, is being counted on to provide leadership for the Bruins’ young and aggressive defense.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Walker likes what he sees in the Bruin linebackers, even if projected starter Justin London is unable to play against the Cowboys.

London has a high ankle sprain, and if he is unable to play, Danny Nelson, a sophomore transfer from Arizona Western College, will start in the middle.

“Hopefully, Justin will be able to play, but if he can’t, I have the world of confidence in Dan Nelson,” Walker said.

“Just seeing the way he practices and prepares himself, he knows his responsibilities. He’s not going to be the guy in there making mistakes. He definitely knows what he’s doing.”

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Except for a few nice runs, sophomore running back Maurice Drew had a quiet camp, considering that he is expected to be UCLA’s primary ballcarrier.

“He’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do,” Coach Karl Dorrell said. “He’s run the way we want him to run.... It’s just nice to have some depth. It’s nice to have some guys like Derrick Williams emerging along with the young freshman [Chris Markey]. That’s probably why you haven’t noticed Maurice that much in camp.

“But when push comes to shove on Saturday, he’s going to be the lead dog. We’re going to let him run until he can’t. Then we’ll have the other guys, starting with Manuel, carry the load.”

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Dorrell said that linebacker Tim Warfield, who suffered a minor setback to his injured knee Saturday, is expected to return to practice this week.

Guard Eyoseph Efseaff aggravated a groin injury, and Dorrell said he would not play against Oklahoma State.