Farris Ponders Staying Senior Year

All-American tackle Kris Farris, the Outland Trophy winner as a junior, said Monday he is leaning toward returning for his senior season rather than opting for the NFL.

Farris, who will contemplate his decision over the weekend and make an announcement Monday, has spoken with several pro scouts and personnel men in an attempt to gauge where he would be picked in the draft. One such set of talks last week resulted in the consensus that he would go late in the first round or early in the second.

“I don’t want to be a second,” Farris said.

Told it sounded as though he was planning to remain at UCLA, he said:

“Yeah, a little bit. We’ll see. I’ve got to play this game. This game will determine a lot.”

Namely, how well Farris does in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin defensive end Tom Burke, an All-American and Big Ten defensive player of the year in a media vote after leading the nation in sacks and tackles for loss.

Burke regularly flips between the right and left side, so the Bruins’ other tackle, Brian Polak, will also have to contend with him.

But Farris will use his time against Burke as a measuring stick.

“The guy I’m going against is the best in the nation,” Farris said. “I think that’ll determine if I’m ready to go or not.”

It becomes a conflict for UCLA fans.

If Farris has a good showing against Burke, the best player on a very good offensive line, he leaves a year early.

If Farris has a bad showing, it’s immediate trouble for the Bruins.

“It’s kind of a paradox,” he said, smiling. “But I don’t think they have anything to worry about.”

*

The new contract being negotiated between UCLA and Coach Bob Toledo includes a rollover clause that would give Toledo the long-term security he covets without forcing the Bruins to directly counter the seven-figure offers he might get from the NFL.

Also being discussed:

* A seven-year package. With the rollover, which he does not have in the current deal, Toledo would always have a seven-year contract.

* Payments of approximately $550,000 annually.

Toledo wants to end speculation about his future because he has heard that other schools are using it against UCLA in recruiting.

UCLA (10-1) vs. WISCONSIN (10-1), Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m., Channel 7