UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: VERBUM DEI'S AYERS GIVES COMMITMENT.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

Days after Akeem Ayers said he would wait until the conclusion of the season to decide on a make his college decision official, the Verbum Dei High of Los Angeles standout made an oral commitment to UCLA.

Ayers' commitment was expected no matter what the time frame, but the Bruins get an athletic defensive end who likely will wind up playing linebacker.

``That's where I decided I wanted to play at the next level,'' Ayers said. ``I think I can contribute more at linebacker because of my athleticism. It's nothing I haven't done before. I played linebacker in ninth grade and moved to defensive end in 10th and 11th grade. I also played a little linebacker the last two years.''

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Ayers made 116 tackles and had 23 sacks for Verbum Dei. He also had 19 catches for 432 yards and five touchdowns playing tight end.

``He has the speed and quickness of a linebacker,'' Verbum Dei assistant coach Owen Brown said. ``He has some stuff to learn about (linebacker), but he picks things up so quick. He hasn't even hit the tip of the iceberg with his ability. Even when Akeem practices, he makes everything look easy.''

Ayers also had offers from Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oregon, San Diego State and Washington State.

Pitre's pleasure: In two seasons Michael Pitre, one of the top fullbacks in the West, touched the ball 37 times. However, he believes there will be more opportunity for carries and receptions now that Jim Svoboda is the offensive coordinator.

``We put a lot more formations in where there's one back, and I may be out on the wing or something,'' Pitre said. ``I think what they're going to try and do is get me the ball in space more and allow me the opportunity to create. I don't know how many people I'll make miss, but I know I'm going to run through a couple of people.''

Mission statement: Bruins strong-side guard Shannon Tevaga said he was getting pressure from members of his church about going on a two-year Mormon mission, when quarterback Ben Olson, who already took his mission, stepped in.

``We had to say a thing at church, -- and he said, `You pray about it, and whatever you want to do, you do. Don't listen to everybody else,''' Tevaga said.

Olson called it a ``personal decision'' but added ``my advice is to go.'' Tevaga plans on doing so after his football career.

But Tevaga was then asked, in jest, if Olson had a hidden agenda. After all, Tevaga is one of the best guards in the nation, and part of his duty is to protect Olson.

``That's probably why he said something,'' Tevaga joked. ``I really thought he cared about me.''

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