Price is right for UCLA's defense
UCLA FOOTBALL REPORT
After a delayed start to his college career, the sophomore defensive tackle's potential is seen as high.
UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price may only be a sophomore, but he has already reached a level of importance in the program.
"When we go look at tackles for recruiting, if we see a guy like him, we know he's a bona fide tackle," defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said. "Brian is really the example of what we're looking for at that spot."
Price, who will be a sophomore, has underscored that status with play during spring practice that is a reminder of why he was so heavily recruited.
Basically, he has caught up with a college career that was delayed last summer. Price's whirlwind freshman season was put on hold while the NCAA Clearinghouse checked his paperwork. By the time he was cleared to play, he had missed training camp and the first three games of the season.
Price was given a crash course in defensive-line play and was in the starting lineup the eighth week. He finished with 14 tackles and was so effective that he was being double-teamed by the end of the season.
"He went through a lot," Walker said. "Was he going to make it, then he did make it, then had to get cleared. Then, 'OK, I missed training camp and now they want me to play next week.' He has been building from that and has handled the thing he went through very well."
Now Price has the time to learn the subtleties of the defensive line to go with his physical abilities.
"I'm getting to learn what the offense is running and what to do in situations," Price said. "I'm picking up my football IQ. I was learning stuff on the run last season. Every week, something new was thrown at me."
Price also shed 17 pounds since last season, down to 288, which has made him quicker as well as stronger. Said defensive line coach Todd Howard: "He still has a lot of rawness in how he plays. But he is picking up the finer points of playing defensive tackle, the hand placement, the footwork."
The ceiling on Price's potential remains high.
"He's just so doggone explosive and he can run," Walker said. "What we've seen from him this spring is consistent energy. Since we've been here [as coaches], we haven't seen a guy like him. Even watching UCLA over the last five years, I haven't seen a defensive tackle like him."
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It was another rough day for the Bruins' offense Monday, as the defense again overwhelmed it during light workouts -- UCLA was in shoulder pads and helmets.
