Football: Sciarra becomes 5th player to leave UCLA

After months of speculation, quarterback John Sciarra announced
Friday he would indeed be leaving UCLA next season to play for
Wagner University, a Division I-AA school in Staten Island,
N.Y.

Though he will not participate with the Bruin football team,
Sciarra will remain at the university until the conclusion of the
spring quarter.

Sciarra, the son of UCLA alumni and All-American John Sciarra,
played behind co-starters Matt Moore and Drew Olson, but did not
see any action in 2003.

During the 2002 season, Sciarra played in five games, completing
five of 12 passes for 75 yards with one touchdown and one
interception.

As a redshirt sophomore, Sciarra ““ who did not return
messages left ““ will have two years of eligibility at Wagner,
since switching down divisions does not require any waiting
period.

Sciarra’s exit marks the team’s fifth confirmed
transfer this off-season. Moore, receiver Tab Perry and tailback
Tyler Ebell all plan to transfer to other schools, while cornerback
Matt Ware left for early entry in the NFL draft.

Olson will now be the only Bruin quarterback who has seen
playing time. The position will gain depth with the addition of
Santa Monica City junior college transfer David Koral and St. John
Bosco’s Pat Cowan, who will join current backup Brian
Callahan.

PREP CORNERBACK COMMITS: According to several
internet Web sites, the Bruins received a verbal commitment from
Long Beach Poly’s Byron Velega.

Velega ““ a 5-foot-10, 180 pound cornerback ““ will
join fellow Jackrabbit corner Rodney Van, along with Poly alum and
current Bruins Mercedes Lewis, Kevin Brown and Junior
Lemau’u.

LEMAU’U REINSTATED: Defensive tackle
Junior Lemau’u was reinstated to the football team after a
three month suspension for violating team rules. Coach Karl Dorrell
said he would participate in spring practice.

“He’s back in the fold, working out and doing what
everybody’s been doing the last couple of weeks,”
Dorrell said to the Daily News. “He has a promising career.
He had a chance to get some experience this year with some limited
playing. Having him back in our program will give us added depth
and hopefully added production in that area.”

Lemau’u played in six games last season, making five
tackles.