UCLA football: Brett Hundley, Xavier Su’a-Filo face NFL decisions

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley and offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo will file paperwork to assess their NFL prospects.

Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft.

“I’ll take everything in, get evaluated, and talk with my family and others,” said Hundley, a third-year sophomore. “It’s not just the draft evaluations. There are a lot of things that go into this.”

Su’a-Filo, a junior, is also in the information-gathering stage. Both will consult with Coach Jim Mora, who spent 25 seasons in the NFL.

“I have sat in on 25 drafts,” Mora said. “I know exactly what they are looking for.”

Mora said the decision will be tougher for Hundley as a quarterback.

“The pressure can break you fast,” Mora said. “All you have to do is look around the league and see some of these guys that came in with great acclaim, but maybe weren’t quite ready. It’s not long before they sit you down and try to find someone else.”

In short, Mora said, “It is the ultimate league for, not ‘what have you done for me lately,’ but ‘what have you done right now and what will you do for me tomorrow.’ ”

Hundley said one of those he’ll consult will be former UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin, a rookie with the Green Bay Packers.

“I think of him as being a big brother,” Hundley said. “He can give me a different perspective because he’s in the league.”

Su’a-Filo’s situation is different, because he is 23 years old. He went on a two-year Mormon mission after his freshman season in 2009.

“I’ll wait for the evaluation and see if it’s worth it,” Su’a-Filo said. “I’ll discuss it with my family and make my decision.

“Ideally,” he said, “I would love to go in the first round.”

Mora said he was ready to be a sounding board. “I care about Brett and his future,” the coach said. “I care about X and his future. Do I want them to come back to UCLA? Absolutely. But the bottom line is I want them to be happy. I want them make the right decision.”

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