At 17, Verner Keeps on the Move

UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner is the youngest player on the roster and one of the smallest. But that has not stopped him from emerging as one of the Bruins’ top freshmen.

“He’s a dynamic player; he’s everything that we anticipated him being,” Coach Karl Dorrell said of Verner, who is listed as 161 pounds and will not turn 18 until Dec. 13. “If we needed him to play wide receiver, I’m sure that he would make an impact as a receiver. He’s an excellent return guy, who’s in the mix too as a punt returner and kickoff returner. He’s also doing a great job of competing for the third cornerback spot.”

As a senior at Lakewood Mayfair High, Verner was dominant as a receiver and defensive back, helping the Monsoon to a 10-2 record. But Verner’s size was a question when training camp began, and he knew that his high school resume was not going to help him.

“It’s been really challenging for me,” Verner said. “It’s a lot more physical than high school. The aspect of learning is also a challenge. In high school, it was just Cover 2 and man [coverage]. Now it’s so much more. From zones to different man schemes.

“Watching the veterans who have been around has been a big help for me. ... I’m out there now, but no one really has told me that I’m going to play. Nothing is etched in stone.”

All of the UCLA freshmen who play defense signed their letters of intent in February when the Bruins were still looking to fill their defensive coordinator position. When DeWayne Walker was hired to replace Larry Kerr, Verner took it as a positive.

“I believe that was a benefit for me because everyone was able to start out brand new under Coach Walker,” Verner said. “He gave everyone an opportunity.”

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UCLA lost another tight end to injury Friday morning when senior J.J. Hair injured his right calf during practice. Hair joins an injured list that already includes tight ends Ryan Moya and Tyler Holland, who have been slowed because of hamstring injuries.

In today’s scrimmage, defensive end Nikola Dragovic (hamstring), defensive tackle Brigham Harwell (calf) and defensive end Bruce Davis (groin) are expected to play but have limited roles. Wide receivers Marcus Everett (hamstring) and Gavin Ketchum (groin) are not expected to play.

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Senior walk-on wide receiver Andrew Baumgartner, who earned a scholarship last season, has had supporters contact UCLA’s athletic department and offer to donate money for him this year, but the Bruins do not have any scholarships available.

“We appreciate their concern; however, it is a question of NCAA rules and not a question about money,” a UCLA spokesperson said Friday. “There is a limit in the amount of scholarships that can be awarded in the sport of football, and we are at the maximum.”

Under NCAA guidelines, Division I programs are allowed up to 85 scholarships a year. Of Dorrell’s first three recruiting classes, 54 of 59 players are still with the program, including 39 of 40 from 2004 and 2005.