Patroclus did a great job wrapping up the Media Day extravaganza, and we're here to fill in some of the details from the interviews that happened after Mora, Barr and XSF stepped off the stage, courtesy of the UCLA Beat Writers. Thanks to Jack Wang, Ryan Kartje and Edward Lewis for all this info:
About Ellis F'ing McCarthy:
#UCLA DL Ellis McCarthy is down to 325 from 350 last year, Mora said. Sal Alosi has told him he's looked good this offseason.
— Edward Lewis (@EdwardLewisBSR) July 26, 2013
The defense is a concern this season, especially in the secondary with only one returning player. Here are some of the changes anticipated:
Jim Mora: "I’m more concerned about the secondary this year than I ever was about the (offensive) line last year."
— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) July 26, 2013
Stan McKay has moved back to safety with the loss of Dietrich Riley.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
Ian Taubler switches to DE, but still get offensive looks in goal-line packages. Jim Mora: "He’s a big physical, good looking athlete."
— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) July 26, 2013
Mora says DE Owa Odighizuwa will be at San Bernardino. "He's making really good progress." Said he can't put a timetable on it.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
Mora said there's been some discussion about freshman Jayon Brown playing strong safety, especially with Riley gone.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
Willis will start out as a corner, not a safety. Mora says he likes big cornerbacks.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
Jim Mora said incoming frosh Myles Jack will play OLB, but we'll definitely see him at running back.
— Edward Lewis (@EdwardLewisBSR) July 26, 2013
On to the offense:
Jim Mora says Brett Hundley is more of a "pure quarterback" than Russell Wilson or Robert Griffin III. Has ability to run, but pass first.
— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) July 26, 2013
Intent right now, Mora said, is that Torian White and Simon Goines will start as tackles with Su'a-Filo inside and sometimes going to LT.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
Jim Mora said he doesn't believe RB Damien Thigpen will be available until at least October.
— Edward Lewis (@EdwardLewisBSR) July 26, 2013
Finally, we end with the Anthony Barr report:
Anthony Barr told me he was very close to leaving UCLA after last year before getting his draft grade, which pegged him as a 2nd round pick.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
Barr also said that he's up to 255 pounds. Oh, and he ran a 4.46 40 on his first-ever try. Dude is a monster.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 26, 2013
We're extremely thankful that Barr decided to return.
We'll continue with our Summer Camp previews, leading up to San Bernardino in less than two weeks.