Pac-12 After Spring: UCLA coach Jim Mora

To help bridge the gap, we’re checking in on Arizona’s competition in the Pac-12 – running some of the best comments from the league’s coaches after their recent participation in a conference call to wrap up spring ball.

Today’s Q&A is with UCLA coach Jim Mora, who has moved a key player from defense to offense and who, unlike most of his Pac-12 peers, doesn’t have a quarterback battle to worry about.

Still to come this week: USC’s now full-time coach, Clay Helton. But first, here’s Mora:

(on having players leave early for the NFL draft and what that says about the Bruins program)

“It’s kind of a new phenomenon – three and out. It’s a little bit new for us. It says that we’re recruiting some pretty good players that are developing into guys that are capable of playing in the NFL.

“Every recruit that comes in has that dream of playing in the NFL. I don’t know that all of them dream about going after three years of college, but I think it says a lot about the quality of athlete that we do recruit. And, I think, the quality of coaching and the way they are developed. These guys are ready to play. It says a lot about the individuals, and it says a lot about the program.”

(on shifting Ishmael Adams from defensive back to wide receiver)

“He was very fun to watch this spring, just the progress that he made from the first practice to the end. He’s an electric guy when he has the ball in his hands. We’ve seen him do some special things as a punt returner and kickoff returner. We’ve seen him do some special things after interceptions. And now to be able to give him the ball where we want and when we want and let him go do it is going to be fun to watch.

“He really developed as a route runner. It’s not easy. It’s an art. There’s an art to running routes. I was really excited to see the development he made as a route runner.

“He’s a gym rat. He loves football, and he loves to study the game. He’s always up in the coaches’ offices bending Coach (Eric) Yarber’s ear, trying to find new things he can look at and study to enhance his game. It’s always fun to be around guys like that – guys that are always searching for a better way to do it.”

(on the mental makeup Josh Rosen needed to start at QB as a freshman and how playing will help him)

“I think it takes someone who’s got some special gifts, not only athletically but emotionally and mentally … to handle that pressure. Playing in a major media market like Los Angeles, at a school like UCLA and at venue like the Rose Bowl (takes) great talent week in and week out. Someone who has a calm about them, a self-confidence, and understands how to prepare. Josh has all of those things. He’s very well-rounded as a football player and very well-rounded as a human being.

“Playing the game is where you making your biggest jumps in terms of improvement at any position, I believe. Practice is great; you’re going to improve in practice. But when you get thrown into competition, that’s where you see the biggest gains.”

Part 1: Arizona State coach Todd Graham

Part 2: Cal coach Sonny Dykes

Part 3: Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre

Part 4: Oregon coach Mark Helfrich

Part 5: Oregon State coach Gary Andersen

Part 6: Stanford coach David Shaw