UCLA’s Anthony Barr makes impression at running back

Only those totally oblivious to UCLA’s practice Monday could have missed the big guy in the Bruins’ backfield.

F-back Anthony Barr made an appearance at running back, the position he played at Los Angeles Loyola High. He had three carries and gained eight yards during a live scrimmage at the end of practice.

It caught nearly everyone’s eye.

“We want to explore all options,� Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “We asked all the players what they think their best position is and he thinks his is running back. I want to give him some snaps and see what we got. We’ll do some more of that Saturday night.�

There seems little chance that Barr will shift to running back, a spot where the Bruins have quality depth. But when Barr committed to UCLA, he made no secret that playing running back was a preference.

“It’s something I was used to growing up, so it’s always fun to get back there,� said Barr, a sophomore. “I feel like I’ve developed so much as an F-back that I don’t really see running back as my primary position, but it’s nothing that I’m opposed to.�

Barr gained 1,890 yards rushing and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior at Loyola. He missed most of his senior season because of a broken ankle.

Barr, who is 6 feet 4 and 231 pounds, is viewed as having a future elsewhere, even by those paying only minimal attention.

Neuheisel pointed out that “Marcus Allen was that kind of back and ended up finding a way to make it work. I think there’s a place for great players and we want to know what we have in that running back that he was in high school.�

But, Neuheisel said, “I think he is really good at what we’re asking him to do right now. He’s tremendously valuable. He is working hard at his receiving skills. He does a lot of things for us.�

Barr, looking beyond UCLA, said, “The more you can do, the higher your stock, so the more I can do I feel like the better it will be for the future.�

Brehaut back

Quarterback Richard Brehaut showed no ill effects of missing two days with a strained left foot. During the scrimmage, Brehaut completed three of four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown against the second-team defense.

Kevin Prince sat out the scrimmage because of a small blister on a finger of his throwing hand. He was sharp during 11-on-11 drills earlier in practice.

Hunt commits

UCLA picked up a player for the future. Cornerback Dashon Hunt said he will attend UCLA … in 2013. Hunt will be a junior at Westlake Village Westlake High this fall. He had seven interceptions as a sophomore.

Quick hits

Linebacker Sean Westgate sat out practice with the flu. … Defensive end Wesley Flowers (hip flexor injury) also sat out. … Linebacker Ryan Hofmeister left practice with an injured leg. … Linebacker Jordan Zumwalt (concussion) returned to practice.

[email protected]

twitter.com/cfosterlatimes