McCann chooses transfer to Chattanooga

  Ryan McCann

By Hannah Gordon
Daily Bruin Reporter

Junior reserve quarterback Ryan McCann will not be in the UCLA
lineup next year. The athletic department announced Thursday McCann
will transfer to Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Because Chattanooga is a Division I-AA school, McCann will not
have to sit out a year and will likely be the starting quarterback
in the 2002 season for the Mocs.

“I have had a goal to play in the NFL since I was
little,” McCann said. “I felt that staying at UCLA,
that dream would be squashed.”

McCann came into the 2001 season as the third-string
quarterback. His only start this season came at Washington State,
where he was benched after completing 3-of-8 passes with two
interceptions. He finished the season completing 38.9 percent of
his passes.

“We certainly understand Ryan’s desire to play a
significant role during his senior season,” UCLA head coach
Bob Toledo said in a statement. “He is a fine young man, and
we certainly wish him the best of luck.”

Chattanooga was recommended by a family friend as a rising
program where he could showcase his strengths.

Both Toledo and quarterbacks coach John Pearce talked to schools
for McCann.

“They (Chattanooga) throw the ball and have a veteran
team, so it is a good opportunity,” Pearce said.

McCann, who will leave for Tennessee this weekend, said he will
miss his teammates. They shared his sentiments.

“It’s sad because he is part of my class,”
junior linebacker Audie Attar said. “He has his own reasons
that no one else can understand. (Thinking about transferring) is
something all reserves go through. We all have our different
situations.”

With McCann’s departure and Scott McEwan’s
graduation, junior Cory Paus is the only experienced quarterback
returning to the team next season. Paus was demoted to third-string
for the last game as a punishment for a DUI situation. He started
nine games, averaging 174.0 passing yards per game and completing
52.1 percent of his passes.

The quarterback position will be open to competition. Redshirt
freshman John Sciarra will compete with Paus along with incoming
freshmen Matt Moore of Hart High and Drew Olson of Piedmont High.
Trent Edwards of Los Gatos is also being recruited.

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UCLA has signed junior college transfers Ryan Boschetti, an
All-American defensive lineman from San Mateo Junior College, and
Patrick Pierre-Louis, a linebacker from Glendale Community College.
Both will participate in spring practice.