Silent Ebell Is Unhappy

Tailback Tyler Ebell isn’t happy. He isn’t healthy. And he isn’t talking to the media.

Teammates say Ebell is disgruntled with his diminished role one year after he rushed for 994 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games. He has rushed for 501 yards and two touchdowns in 114 carries, slightly fewer yards and carries than freshman Maurice Drew.

Ebell, a sophomore, also has a sore left shoulder that could keep him out of the Silicon Valley Classic, although UCLA officials cannot discuss the injury because Ebell has not signed a health-privacy waiver allowing them to do so. He participated in conditioning drills Monday and politely refused several interview requests.

Transferring is a less appealing option for Ebell than it was for quarterback Matt Moore because Ebell used his redshirt year in 2001 and would have only one year of eligibility left unless he went to a school below the Division I level.

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Cornerback Matt Ware will not decide whether to leave UCLA for the NFL until after the bowl game. The determining factor, he said, will be the round NFL scouts project he would be drafted.

UCLA’s struggles this season are not a factor.

“I love my teammates,” he said. “Whether we’d be 10-1 or 1-10, I would still fight alongside them. That has nothing to do with it.”

Ware is also obligated to play three more seasons of minor league baseball with the Seattle Mariners. He signed a contract in 2001 that spread his signing bonus over a five-year period, with most of the money coming during the last two years.

“That’s an incentive to come back,” he said.

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Starting left tackle Steve Vieira’s knee injury is less serious than thought. He could resume practicing by the end of the week and is expected to play against Fresno State.... Tackle Alex Potasi was dismissed from the team several weeks ago for breaking a team rule, Coach Karl Dorrell said. Potasi, a redshirt freshman reserve from Carson, is still enrolled and Dorrell said he “has a chance” of being reinstated next season.... Freshman defensive lineman Junior Lemau’u was suspended for academic reasons, although Dorrell said he could be reinstated by spring practice. .... Safety Ben Emanuel has a groin injury that might keep him out of the Silicon Valley Classic.