CAN'T MAKE UP HIS MIND UCLA'S PAGE A TOP PROSPECT IN BASEBALL.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

All those Saturday afternoons when the UCLA defense looked, well, defenseless, Jarrad Page seemed like proof of better days ahead.

As opposing tailbacks cut through the Bruins' front seven this season, the junior strong safety often delivered bone-jarring hits that saved touchdowns and built some optimism for the future.

Of course, there always was a chance Page could be leaving for the NFL. Entering Saturday's game at Oregon, he is second on the team with 63 tackles.

But now the Bruins are facing the possibility of losing him to baseball.

``If Jarrad was just a baseball player, he'd be a first-round draft choice,'' said former UCLA coach Gary Adams, who retired after the 2004 season. ``But scouts, they have to determine what his signability is. I don't see him going lower than the fifth round. If he came out and said, 'All I want to do is play baseball,' he'd be a first-rounder.''

Page could be the Bruins' starting shortstop this season after playing last year in center field. And if selected in the first few rounds of next June's major-league amateur draft, Page said he could bypass his senior season of football to play baseball.

Page was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth round of the 2002 draft, but HE turned down a $750,000 signing bonus to attend UCLA and play football and baseball.

``If I'm one of their top picks, I'm going to consider it,'' Page said. ``I don't know how things are going to work out. You could play (both sports), but if they're picking you that high, you should just stick to baseball.''

UCLA's football program, apparently, is already making plans in case Page leaves. Highly regarded Chino High strong safety Shawn Oatis, who orally committed to UCLA last week, said discussions of Page's future played a role in his recruitment.

``(The coaches) said there might be an opening there because Jarrad Page may get drafted and play baseball,'' Oatis said. ``I looked at the depth and thought I had a chance to play early.''

If Page doesn't play football next season, UCLA will lose three of its four players in the secondary. Cornerback Matt Clark and free safety Ben Emanuel are seniors.

``I deal with it in a positive manner,'' UCLA football coach Karl Dorrell said. ``Whenever you have a kid that is a starting safety on your football team and he has tremendous potential in another sport, in this case baseball, that tells you a lot about this particular kid.

``I'm not discouraged by it. The thing that is a little bit of a concern is that because he's a pretty good baseball player and prospect, he could have an opportunity at the end of the baseball season where he could go the baseball route. That's something he'll address and figure out at that time, if the opportunity comes.''

Other members of UCLA's core of junior playmakers also could leave. Tight end Marcedes Lewis, the Bruins' leading receiver, and linebacker Spencer Havner, UCLA's top tackler, both said they likely would file paperwork to have their NFL draft status evaluated, although both said they expected to be back for their senior seasons.

Page is different. He is arguably UCLA's top defensive player this season. Scouts say he is an NFL talent but do not believe he would be selected in the early rounds if he left after this season.

As for Page, he said he doesn't have a favorite sport.

``During football season, I could see myself in the NFL,'' Page said. ``When I go play baseball, I can see myself in the major leagues. I love whatever sport I'm doing at that time. If I'm out there playing football, that's what my mindset is. And when I'm out there playing baseball, that's what my mindset is.

``I know pretty much after (UCLA) I'm going to have to play just one. I'm going to let some of the things play out, and let the two leagues make the decision for me.

``I get tired playing both. Baseball starts right after football in college. I look forward to just playing one of them.''

Coming out of San Leandro High near Oakland, Page's path seemed to be baseball. He said he would have gone that route exclusively if the signing bonus was near $1 million. But once he attended his first class at UCLA, he no longer could sign with a major-league team and was unable to be drafted until after his junior season.

``If he played shortstop, it would take three years to see how he could handle it,'' Adams said. ``He's so gifted right now as a center fielder. He can play center field in the big leagues today.''

Although Page said the Brewers offered $750,000, it came with the stipulation that he play only baseball. If he chose the route of former teammates Matt Ware and Ricky Manning - professional baseball in the summer and at UCLA in the fall - he said the Brewers' offer was $150,000.

If he is chosen in the first round in June's draft, the signing bonus is certain to top $1 million.

``If he came out and said, 'All I want to do is play baseball,' he'd be a first-rounder,'' Adams said. ``He's a great athlete, and he also has a lot of heart. He's passionate about playing baseball. He's passionate about playing football. He's a team player, totally unselfish.

``He's a five-tool guy who also has the attitude and the heart to put it all together and reach his potential.''

Injuries also could play a role in his decision. His playing style is reckless. He bruised his foot in practice Tuesday, but he's expected to play Saturday at Oregon.

He has the same approach in baseball.

During a game last April at Pepperdine, Page ran into the outfield fence chasing a fly ball. He was transported to UCLA-Santa Monica Hospital. His injuries weren't serious, but he missed extended playing time.

Once he returned to action, he played well. Page, who redshirted his freshman season because of a sore shoulder, batted .233 with three homers and 19 RBI. He moved into the starting lineup in the second half of Pacific-10 Conference play, hitting .308 with four doubles and a homer.

Adams, who coached UCLA for 30 years, compared Page's ability with former Bruins Shane Mack's and Ron Roenicke's.

``With playing baseball year-round, he'll make himself a great hitter,'' Adams said. ``The (.233) average doesn't tell one-tenth of the story of what he was worth to the team. There's a price that he pays for missing fall baseball practice.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com