Football Briefs

Thomas, Foster to return

Middle linebacker Robert Thomas and running back DeShaun Foster,
both juniors, announced Thursday that they have decided to return
to the UCLA football team in 2001 for their senior seasons instead
of entering the NFL Draft.

“I enjoy going to school and playing football at
UCLA,” Thomas said in a press release. “I have made a
lot of friends here and feel that next year’s team has a
chance to be a great one, and I want to be one of the leaders of
this team. Playing in the NFL has always been a goal of mine but I
feel that now is not the time.”

Both players talked about making next season one to
remember.

“As a senior, I want to do everything I can to help my
team win,” Foster said. “We have a large group of
seniors and we want our final year to be one that everyone will
remember.”

Thomas was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which honors the
nation’s best linebacker.

This season, he led the Bruins with 88 tackles and was tied for
second on the team with nine tackles for a loss, despite playing
much of the year with a foot injury (stress reaction).

“I am very happy to say that I am returning to UCLA for my
senior year and look forward to working with our new
coordinator,” Thomas said.

Foster rushed for 1,037 yards, even though he broke a bone in
his right hand in the fifth game of the year and missed one and a
half games. He is 11th on UCLA’s career rushing list with
2,085 yards.

He also scored 13 touchdowns (12 rushing), ranks fourth in
career touchdowns (31) and ninth in career scoring (188
points).

Brief compiled by Pauline Vu, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.