UCLA NOTEBOOK: REINSTATED LEMAU'U MOVES TO TACKLE - FOR NOW.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer When UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX defensive-line coach Don Johnson asked Junior Lemau'u to move from end to tackle, Lemau'u didn't hesitate. It was a switch the Bruins needed to make for spring depth, and a choice few people thought UCLA would have. Lemau'u, a sophomore-to-be, was suspended sus·pend v. sus·pend·ed, sus·pend·ing, sus·pends v.tr. 1. To bar for a period from a privilege, office, or position, usually as a punishment: suspend a student from school. for the final eight games of 2003 for violating team rules, which centered on his academic habits. But rather than take the easy way out and leave school, Lemau'u worked hard and gained reinstatement Reinstatement The restoration of an insurance policy after it has lapsed for nonpayment of premiums. in January. ``It taught me to manage my time better, take care of my priorities, which is school,'' Lemau'u said. ``It taught me that school is real important. To be a good athlete on the field, you have to take care of your school work.'' Even when Lemau'u thought he fulfilled ful·fill also ful·fil tr.v. ful·filled, ful·fill·ing, ful·fills also ful·fils 1. To bring into actuality; effect: fulfilled their promises. 2. his requirements to rejoin re·join 1 v. re·joined, re·join·ing, re·joins v.tr. To say in reply, especially in sharp response to a reply. v.intr. To reply. the Bruins, he believed it was a ``50-50'' proposition he would be reinstated. ``I was happy, I was excited and I was relieved,'' Lemau'u said. ``I didn't know what I was going to tell my parents and all that other stuff. It was a big load off my back. I'm glad I got another chance.'' Now, Lemau'u is tackling his next issue - the move from end to tackle. He is battling with Kevin Brown The name Kevin Brown can refer to several different people, including the following:
``(Lemau'u) is a big strong kid,'' UCLA defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League or college football who is in charge of the defense. This position aids the head coach a great deal in many ways by delegating play calling to other coaches and allowing the head Larry Kerr said. ``We have that flexibility (to move Lemau'u outside) down the road. Right now he's playing so well inside. I'd like to have a three- to four-man rotation inside, so he's really a co-starter inside. Unless we get really, really desperate, I'd like to keep him inside.'' Lemau'u's preference is to play end, where his size isn't an issue and his strength is an asset. ``I told them I'd do this in the spring, but come fall I'm going back to end and I can help out inside,'' said Lemau'u, who made five tackles last season. ``Later in the season, if we lose a guy or something happens to one of our players, I'll move inside permanently.'' --Extra points: After exploring options to hold fall training camp at Cal Lutheran or Cal State Fullerton, the site of UCLA's past two camps, the Bruins likely will remain on campus. That will allow them to utilize the refurbished Acosta Training Center. ... UCLA is holding Junior Day today and expects 65 to 75 of the elite juniors from Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, to be at the morning scrimmage. Brian Dohn, (818) 713-3607 brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com |
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