UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: BRUINS WORK ON SPEED, AGILITY.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN

Staff Writer

UCLA players wanted to get faster and become more flexible, and several said that happened while working with professional trainer Randy Horton.

Horton, who is known for increasing a player's agility and foot speed, trains players for NFL workouts leading up to the draft. He worked as a consultant to UCLA during the winter quarter, and is doing volunteer work this quarter.

"It's been great work with flexibility, learning how to run, learning how to explode," UCLA senior cornerback Trey Brown said. "He's implemented some great things that are definitely going to show during the season.

"You can see out there ... not only are we playing a lot faster because we've been around the schemes for a whole year, but also because of what coach Horton has done in the weight room and on the track. He's improved the total team speed of the defense."

Horton, who works in conjunction with the strength and conditioning department, is available to all of UCLA's athletic teams.

"I feel a lot faster just with the little bit of work I've done with him," Bruins freshman receiver Terrence Austin said. "It was more of like a track workout. Very similar. I like it, and I'm looking forward to getting back on his workout when spring ball is over."

Austin said Horton's work focuses on flexibility, particularly with hip flexors.

"A lot of guys on the football field are tight, and flexibility is going to make a big difference," Austin said. "If you're strong and stiff, it's hard for you to make certain moves on the field. If you're strong and flexible, you're able to make more powerful moves, and you're able to move faster and you won't be as tight. And there's less injuries, too."

Austin vs. 'SC: Austin is joining UCLA's track team for Saturday's dual meet at USC, which begin less than 14 hours after the Bruins' spring game concludes Friday.

"It's 'SC vs. UCLA, against our rival school," Austin said. "It's going to be big-time for me. I'm excited."

The last time Austin jumped was in June, when he was a senior at Long Beach Poly, but he could have an impact on the meet. USC's season-best high jump is 6 feet, 8 inches, which means Austin would likely score if he could jump that height. His personal best is 6 feet, 10 3/4 inches.

"They're not really expecting anything, but they need some bodies and they know what I'm capable of doing," Austin said. "I've been doing it since I was 10 years old. It's not going to be tough for me to catch on. The only thing I need right now is to get a steady approach, and I could probably do that five or 10 times when I get to the stadium and make sure I'm consistent with my mark. Then, I'll be set."

Austin was going to compete with UCLA's track and field team this spring, but he said he was "influenced to stay" with football to familiarize himself with UCLA's new offensive coordinator, Jay Norvell.