UCLA PLAYERS WORK FOR PROFESSIONAL SCOUTS.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

It was like old times at Spaulding Field, with quarterback Drew Olson throwing the ball to tight end Marcedes Lewis and tailback Maurice Drew. This time, though, they weren't in pads and there was barely anyone else sharing the field.

The three cornerstones of UCLA's high-scoring offense spent 30 minutes Thursday morning showcasing their skills for more than two dozen NFL scouts and coaches who came to inspect UCLA's draft-eligible players. Earlier, the players were tested for their vertical leap, a standing broad jump, agility drills, blocking drills for linemen, and passing drills for quarterbacks and receivers.

On Wednesday, they were tested for strength by how many times they could bench press 225 pounds.

``Everybody's trying to find something,'' said Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach Kennedy Pola. ``You try to tear a kid down, find a hole and see if he can fill it up. You want to see if he stayed in shape, how he's prepared himself. That's important, because football becomes a year-round lifestyle.''

Though Pola said the Jaguars didn't have any particular interest in the UCLA trio, Jacksonville was one of the few teams that sent three representatives - offensive coordinator Carl Smith and tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts joined Pola.

Lewis, expected to be chosen late in the first round, could be a good fit for Jacksonville, which has the 28th pick and is looking for a tight end to replace 35-year-old Kyle Brady and disappointing Sylmar High product George Wrightster.

Jacksonville may also be interested in Drew, the nation's leading punt returner, after Alvin Pearman's butter-fingered rookie season. Smith and Pola were careful observers when Drew caught punts out of a jugs machine.

Drew is just 5-foot-6, which was a factor in pass-catching drills, but he tested well for strength and speed at the combine, and is likely a third- round pick.

Olson, who threw the ball with improved arm strength, was accurate working inside the hashmarks, but less so on deeper balls. He is likely a second-day pick.

``I'm trying not to get my hopes up or label myself a certain round guy,'' said Olson, who has scheduled private workouts with Miami, Baltimore and Kansas City. ``I like coming out here like this, but I feel like getting in a camp is when I'll be able to show what kind of quarterback I am. There are so many intangibles about the position. You don't have to run a 4.4. (40-yard dash) to be a successful quarterback.''

That's good for Olson, who rolled in at 5.1 seconds. Two other late-round probabilities, linebacker Spencer Havner and safety Jarrad Page, may have helped themselves running. Page was timed in the low 4.5s, while Havner was in the high-4.5s, an improvement from the combine, where they each ran in the high 4.6s.

Billy Witz, [phone]

billy.witz(at)dailynews.com

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MAURICE DREW

Former Bruins running back impressed pro scouts at UCLA workout.