UCLA NOTEBOOK: MANNING MAKES AN IMPRESSION.

Byline: Jon Wilner Staff Writer

It did not take long for freshman cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. to make an impact on the field. He is smart, swift and aggressive. He can play man-to-man coverage, he's technically sound, and he understands the passing game.

But during the first week of training camp, Manning's most impressive performance came in the film room.

``He's really mature for a freshman,'' Bruins coach Bob Toledo said. ``He catches on quick. He has great natural understanding. When we test him in the meetings, he's a real sharp kid. I'm impressed.''

Manning, a Fresno native, is one of four freshmen the Bruins expect to contribute immediately, along with tight end Mike Seidman and two linebackers, Marcus Reese and Asi Faoa. But because of injuries and suspensions in the secondary, Manning could be the first rookie to break the starting lineup. Currently, he's the top reserve cornerback, and no one is surprised.

``Ricky didn't just emerge as a prospect the second half of his senior year,'' Bruins defensive coordinator Bob Field said. ``He's been a top player all along. Some guys are just wired that way.''

Manning's resume includes three years as Edison High's quarterback (67 passing touchdowns) and a rigorous offseason conditioning program that prepared him for his first college training camp.

He practiced with Edison's receivers. He watched UCLA's defense on videotape, and he studied the playbook. He also played rookie-league baseball for the Minnesota Twins, who picked him in the 22nd round in June.

``Baseball wasn't that heavy a workout, so I made sure I got in the weight room two or three times a week,'' Manning said. ``Sometimes I'd do my football drills in the pool, work on my backpedaling and breaking with my hips.

``Everything I did was to get ready to play this year. I never planned on redshirting, not even before the suspensions. I wanted to jump right into the rotation.''

Bell update: UCLA's most experienced cornerback, by far, is senior Jason Bell. Despite offseason heel surgery and limited practice time, it appears Bell will be ready for the Sept. 4 opener against Boise State.

``If we played right now, he could play and do OK,'' Toledo said.

How they stand: The Bruins have moved sophomore Julius Williams to safety and hope to survive the season with four cornerbacks: Manning, Bell and two redshirt freshmen, Joe Hunter and Lovell Houston.

For now, Bell and Hunter are the starters, Manning is third, and Houston, who has a strained thigh, is fourth.

``Joe Hunter was the only one who participated in spring practice, so he's ahead of the other young guys,'' Field said. ``He's a little smarter because of his experience.''

Sophomore Jason Stephens is starting at strong safety. Senior Joey Strycula, who doubles as the holder on place kicks, is the No. 1 free safety.

If the secondary seems young, it is: Five of the top seven defensive backs are freshmen or sophomores. That will change when senior starter Ryan Roques returns from the two-game, disabled-parking-tag suspension. He'll play either cornerback or free safety, wherever the Bruins are weakest.

And finally: Fullback Durell Price has changed uniform numbers. He's now wearing No. 36, to honor former linebacker Ramogi Huma, who retired last spring because of injuries. . . .

John Hall, a 400-meter hurdler for UCLA, has joined the football team as a safety. A junior from Anaheim, Hall tried out two seasons ago as a cornerback, then opted for track. He'll wear No. 45.