UCLA Football Players Having Trouble with Academics

Yesterday, UCLA announced that tailback Christian Ramirez is academically ineligible for the season, and officially suspended strong safety Bret Lockett for season opener against Tennessee because of a violation of the team’s academic rules.

Here is the official release from UCLA:

UCLA junior tailback Christian Ramirez will not compete for the Bruin football team this season because he did not meet NCAA eligibility requirements.

“This is unfortunate for Christian and for our team” said head coach Rick Neuheisel. “I’m sure Christian will work hard to ensure this situation does not occur again. The rest of our running backs will just have to step up.”

Ramirez will have two seasons of eligibility remaining and can count 2008 as a redshirt season.

UCLA senior strong safety Bret Lockett has been suspended for the 2008 season opener against Tennessee for a violation of team policy concerning academics. He will be able to practice when camp opens on August 5 but will miss the game on Sept. 1.

“We expect our players to follow our team and department rules,” said head coach Rick Neuheisel. “There will be penalties when there is a violation of those rules. Bret understands that he made a mistake.”

Last season, Ramirez did not receive much playing time, but the graduation of senior running back Chris Markey would have given Ramirez an opportunity for playing time. Without Ramirez, UCLA’s tailback unit is fairly thin with Kahlil Bell and Chane Moline the only two experienced starters.