Pac-12 Football Breakfast Links: 05.08.2011

*Arizona lands three-star recruit offensive lineman Beau Boyster.  Nothing screams exciting like an OL signing. [Arizona Daily Star, You Tube]

*According to a “source that has no authority to talk on the subject matter”(whatever that means), highly sought-after tight end Morrell Presely and fifth-year senior cornerback Courtney Viney will transfer out of UCLA.  Not sure if people need authority to talk about players that never see the field.  [Los Angeles Times]

*College Basketball play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson is expected to join FOX to call Pac-12 Football games.  Although he lost out to Brad Nessler for the NFL Network job, he should be a shoe-in for this position.  [Examiner.com]

*Four-star prospect linebacker Michael Barton commits to Cal, adding to a pile of East Bay recruits in the Bears' arsenal.  The De La Salle standout also received offers from Arizona State, Colorado, LSU, Oregon State, SMU, UCLA, Washington and Washington State. [Contra Costa Times, You Tube]

*It is no surprise that UCLA is having troubles figuring out which quarterback to go with next season.  It IS a surprise OC Mike Johnson still hopes that he is going to find “consistency, decision-making, and leadership” in one of his three candidates.  If these skills haven’t reared its head yet, he could be looking for a long time. [OC Register] 

Pac-12 Football: UCLA Bruins Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type:  80-Play Scrimmage

Final Score: N/A

UCLA’s spring practices did not significantly answer any of the questions that still linger from last year.  Their offense seems to still be in transition and the defense will need to carry the Bruins in 2011.

Offense:

The biggest concern revolving UCLA this spring (and it seems like every spring) is which quarterback will finally step up as the Bruins offensive leader.

With Kevin Prince sidelined this offseason, Coach Rick Neuheisel’s silent hopes that talent would miraculously emerge from his depth chart went unfulfilled.   Although Brett Hundley and Richard Brehaut each threw a touchdown pass, neither quarterback was that accurate or looked ready for real playing time.

Unfortunately for UCLA, new OC Mike Johnson seems to be abandoning the running game, which is a shame with the budding John Franklin waiting to prove his worth.

Grade: C-

Defense:

UCLA defense dropped from 27th in scoring defense in 2009 (21.2 p/g) to 85^th in the NCAA last year (30.3 p/g).  While this unexpected showing of futility shocked many, the Bruins are determined to prove it was a one year hiccup.

With eight returning starters from last year, UCLA’s defense is already showing vast improvements this spring.

Sophomore linebacker Jordan Zumwalt led the charge for the Bruins defense in the spring game, snatching five tackles and one sack.

Junior cornerback Andrew Abbott also created various frenzies throughout the day, collecting four tackles, one tackle for a loss, and two pass break ups. 

Grade: B