UCLA football Web notebook: Wide receiver Ricky Marvray shows competitive spirit
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
There is nothing about wide receiver Ricky Marvray that is laid back, right down to the selfish attitude he can display on the field.
“It is real simple, if the ball is in the air, it is mine and only mine,” said Marvray, a redshirt freshman. “When you have that mindset, you tend not to think about anybody around you. I don’t really care about going across the middle. As soon as I get my eyes on that brown dot, that’s all I see.”
That out-of-my-way focus has served Marvray well during training camp. He has performed at a level to earn playing time this season … perhaps a lot of playing time.
What is impressive about Marvray is more than just his speed and his sure hands. It’s his no-fear outlook.
Marvray has gone over the middle numerous times to make leaping catches during training camp. That’s easy during limited contract drills, but he has shown the same headstrong ways in live scrimmages.
He will also take time to jaw back at defensive players, which can include verbally punching out of his weight class.
Marvray and linebacker Akeem Ayers were nose-to-nose, barking at each other during Tuesday’s scrimmage.
“He has had that competitive spirit from the moment he stepped on campus from high school,” receivers coach Reggie Moore said. “He is unafraid to mix it up with defensive backs. I like that energy level. I’d much rather pull a guy back with the chain as opposed to nudging him in the butt with a red hot poker.”
Moore said Marvray was on the cusp of playing last season, “but numbers-wise we were OK at receiver so there was no reason to waste the year.”
That proved to be a valuable motivational tool.
“It is at the center of my competitive spirit to this day,” Marvray said. “It was a tough thing to deal with, just sitting around watching the game and not contributing.”
Marvray had not sat out a football season since eighth grade, “when I got into a little bit of trouble and my parents said I couldn’t play that year.”
His pass-seeking abilities were legendary at Corona Centennial High School.
“I would steal balls from our other receivers if we were in the same area,” Marvray said. “We’d be running and I’d see the ball and it was mine.”
As to what would happen if you ever ran into a defensive back with a similar outlook, Marv ray said, “I just take it from him. It’s all about how badly you want it.”
Prince throws
Quarterback Kevin Prince continues slow progress coming back from a strained back muscle. Prince ran five plays with the offense in 11-on-11 drills during Wednesday morning’s practice. That included completing one pass, a quick out to Randall Carroll.
“I threw one pass, it wasn’t the greatest,” Prince said. “The pass was fine, but in terms of pain level, it hurt a little bit.”
Prince wasn’t sure if he would throw another one in the afternoon practice.
“I’m going to get treatment now, then lunch,” Prince said.
Lunch?
“Dorm food,” Prince said, grimacing.
Brehaut sharp
Quarterback Richard Brehaut built on his performance from Tuesday’s mini-scrimmage. He was rarely off-target with a pass during Wednesday morning’s practice.
“Richard has been very coachable all along,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “The question is how quickly does the material sink in, where you see it exhibited in live action. Certainly we’re seeing maturation there.”
Not that there isn’t work to be done.
Said Neuheisel: “The problem is, you can’t see something be successful and go, ‘OK, I’m going to that again’ because the next time the scenario isn’t the same. It isn’t the same coverage or it isn’t the same defense.”
Smith needs a bracer?
Wide receiver Josh Smith, who missed much of spring practice due to an injured left knee, went through the morning practice without his knee brace. Neuheisel said it was because the Bruins were not in pads, but Smith said that the knee brace, which he was wearing Tuesday, might become optional.
“I don’t want it to be an issue with me, because it shouldn’t matter if I have it on or not,” Smith said. But Smith said that the brace “was an adjustment. I definitely notice it running with the ball. Getting out of breaks is a little more of a challenge. But football should be a challenge.”
The hope for the Bruins is that Smith provides big plays. Besides playing wide receiver, he will be returning punts, along with wide receiver Taylor Embree.
Quick hits
Offensive lineman Jeff Baca was on crutches Wednesday, feeling a little more pain in his left leg. Baca, who had been hobbling around in a boot, has a stress reaction in the leg.… Jordan Zumwalt sat out the morning practice with a groin injury. … Tight end Cory Harkey (concussion) was cleared to participate in a full practice.… Stan McKay (concussion) remained in no-contact red jersey Wednesday as a precaution, Neuheisel said.… Morrell Presley, who also has a concussion, was still on the sidelines, but would practice in a red jersey in the afternoon, Neuheisel said. … Linebacker Patrick Larimore (hamstring) participated in more drills Wednesday morning.
-- Chris Foster
