Mitchell to Be Redshirted

A day earlier, he had remarked about the difficulty of playing college football but had no doubt about his ability.

On Thursday, Freddie Mitchell was told that UCLA intended to redshirt him this season.

“I’m [ticked],� said Mitchell, a freshman who became eligible only a week ago after finally getting a score on the American College Test that was high enough to satisfy UCLA’s academic committee.

“I could have redshirted at Florida or Florida State.�

Mitchell, who is from Lakeland, Fla., had been considered, because of his speed, a potential deep threat in the Bruin passing game and also a kick returner.

But Coach Bob Toledo said several things affected his decision, which was conveyed to Mitchell before Thursday’s practice.

“He’s a real talent . . . but he’s just too far behind,� Toledo said. “For the amount of plays we would be able to use him, I talked it over with him and we’re going to redshirt him.

“We’ve got great chemistry right now, and it’s not like we don’t have some receivers.�

One factor in the decision was the play of another freshman receiver, Brian Poli-Dixon, who scored touchdowns on his second and third college catches, both against Houston, before suffering a sprained ankle that kept him out of the Oregon game last week. Poli-Dixon will return for Saturday’s game against Oregon State.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I’m not going to spend five years at UCLA,� Mitchell said. “I can go anywhere in the country and play.�

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Though tailback Skip Hicks says he will be ready to play Saturday, trainer Geoff Schaadt says the decision will be made at game time. Hicks is still rehabilitating a bone bruise on his shin, near his knee, suffered while scoring a week ago at Oregon.

If he is not ready, Keith Brown and Jermaine Lewis will split time at tailback.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NEXT FOR UCLA

Who: Oregon St.

Where: Rose Bowl

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 9

Radio: AM 1150