LOS ANGELES — For the final time this spring, the UCLA football team hosted practice Thursday morning at Spaulding Field as they gear up for their Spring Game on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
There was a calm-before-the-storm feeling in the air with the Bruins’ penultimate spring event. They worked through live team periods and mixed in some special teams for most of the media-viewing periods.
UCLA had a handful of players working off to the side due to injury or illness. Offensively, running back Wayne Knight was joined by wide receiver Aidan Mizell and tight end Josh Phifer. On the other side of the ball, defensive back LaRue Zamorano III also participated in a limited capacity.
Knight has been limited for more than half of the spring, working occasionally with the running backs during non-contact team periods.
In his stead, Jaivian Thomas worked with the first team. Troy Leigber and Anthony Woods rotated with the second team.
“That position group in general, you look at every team, injuries probably happen more at that one than other ones,” UCLA offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy said. “The big piece is understanding that we have to be deep in that room … we have to understand that a lot of people are going to play in that room.”
Cal Poly transfer Ty Dieffenbach and redshirt freshman Madden Iamaleava continue to battle for the backup quarterback position. Both have split second-team reps all throughout spring camp, but neither has made enough headway to earn the job outright.
Kennedy has been impressed with what he’s seen so far from Dieffenbach.
“I think Ty’s had a really good spring,” Kennedy said. “I think he’s done a great job. He brings a different element with his ability to run and his legs. You’ve seen that and it’s been highlighted in a few practices with him.”
Offense rising to the occasion
The Bruins’ offense looked sharp in their final tuneup before Saturday’s Spring Game.
Throughout UCLA’s spring practices, South Carolina transfer Brian Rowe Jr. has stood out among the wide receiver newcomers.
The sophomore pass catcher has been making jaw-dropping plays and Thursday was no different. The 6-foot, 170-pound incoming sophomore has become a favorite target.
During the first team period of the day, Nico Iamaleava connected with Rowe down the sideline for a 30-yard touchdown. Rowe beat his defender with straight speed and Iamaleava dropped it right into the basket.
Iamaleava’s connection with Rowe has been growing rapidly throughout the course of spring practices, making Rowe one of the top players for fans to watch during the Spring Game.
“Today he had an unbelievable catch, he had a few of them today. His quickness and the way he can push and have certain break points, he’s done a great job with that,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy believes Rowe still has plenty to work on as spring football begins to wind down.
“We’ve moved him around, like we do with all our receivers to see who can handle certain things. He still needs to grow in that aspect, but like I said it’s still early on for him,” Kennedy said. “To me the big thing is when he plays and knows what he’s doing, he’s special, but that’s the big piece to it.”
Freshman making waves
UCLA’s defense is filled with experience from top to bottom. Linebacker Sammy Omosigho and safety Cole Martin have played for multiple seasons throughout their college careers and it shows on the field.
Unlike his veteran teammates, safety Logan Hirou is in the midst of his first spring camp at the collegiate level.
The freshman, a three-star recruit out of Santa Margarita High, has been one of the unheralded stars of the spring for the Bruins. With Martin and Tao Johnson working ahead of him in the first team, Hirou has held his own.
“There’s highs and lows of any freshman. This is hard, it’s not easy. It’s a big jump from high school football,” UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler said. “He was coached well in high school and continues to develop and he loves it. He’s gonna be just fine”