Foster’s Condition Cause for Optimism

One of the most optimistic signs for UCLA in the early days of camp is that tailback DeShaun Foster, counted on to be one of the stars of the offense, arrived in shape, a year after being criticized by Coach Bob Toledo for reporting in less than top condition.

That was the start to a season that never got better. A sprained right ankle cost Foster all of two games and most of three others--he had a total of five carries--and was the major factor in him going from a true freshman record of 673 yards in 1998 to 375 yards in ’99. Playing behind a line that struggled through inexperience, injury and suspension didn’t help either.

Foster said no one talked to him about needing to begin his junior season in better shape, but Toledo said he did. Either way, there has been a noticeable difference.

“For him to be the best that he can be, he needed to have a good off-season summer program,� Toledo said. “He had the injuries and that type of thing. He listened to that.

“He’s better than a year ago. He’s stronger. He’s in better shape. He had that success as a freshman, so he could think it’s easy. But he learned that he needed to work hard. A year ago, he went home. He wasn’t here. This year, he stayed here and worked out.�

The result is Foster checking in at 208 pounds, about 10 less than his peak as a sophomore, but without losing any of his strength.

“I feel like I’m a lot farther where I want to be,� Foster said. “But I felt like I was where I wanted to be last year.�

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Brandon Chillar began practice as the most prominent of the newcomers.

Although several true freshmen have impressed immediately and could play quickly--defensive back Ben Emanuel, receiver Tab Perry, fullback Manuel White and kicker Chris Kluwe, to name a few--Chillar moved to the forefront because of Asi Faoa’s one-game suspension and Santi Hall’s decision Saturday to leave school. It means the Carlsbad product has become the scheduled backup to Tony White at one outside linebacker for the Sept. 2 opener against Alabama.

“It’s not so much how strongly they feel about me--they sort of have to,� Chillar said, smiling. “But it’s great to have that opportunity. It sucks for the team that those guys are out, but it’s good for me.�

It’s not that “they sort of have to� either.

“He is physically capable of playing,� Toledo said. “He is a real talent. We’re excited about him.�

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Billy Pieper, a reserve linebacker pressed into the starting lineup the first two games last season because of the mass suspensions from the handicapped parking case, has had his career ended by a neck injury. Pieper, who would have been a senior, will remain on scholarship as a medical redshirt. . . . Paul Nelson, who came to UCLA as a receiver and was switched to defensive back last season as a redshirt freshman because of depth on offense, is back at receiver.

Defensive back John Hall, who joined the team early last season and played four games as a walk-on, mostly on special teams, was given a scholarship. He also was on the Bruin track team, finishing second in the Pacific 10 Conference in the 400 intermediate hurdles in 2000. . . . The face masks on the helmets have been painted dark blue, a change from the usual gray.