BRUINS’ VERNER: A STUDY IN NUMBERS
Lott Profiles 0907; For use as desired
Alterraun Verner is a numbers guy.
His uniform number for the UCLA Bruins is 1.
He led the nation in pass breakups last season, averaging 1.67 per game.
He’s had 8 career interceptions, returning 3 of them for touchdowns.
He was second on the Bruins a year ago with 73 tackles, a remarkably high number for a cornerback.
He’s one of 62 collegians nominated for the Nagurski Award, one of 55 nominated for the Bednarik Award, one of 31 for the Thorpe Award and one of 42 for the Lott Trophy.
And the numbers all make sense to the 5-11, 182-pound senior from Carson since his college major is mathematics, applied science. If he’s successful on the football field, he’s equally successful in the classroom, being named to the Academic All Pac-10 both as a sophomore and as a junior.
“I liked math since I was younger,” Verner told Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com in May. “I’ve always excelled in math, particularly calculus. I didn’t get my first non-A until I was in college.
“I like solving things,” Verner said. “Knowing there is a definite answer to a problem, and the process of trying to find that, and then actually getting a solution, I like that. English is how you feel about it. A teacher can’t really tell me that’s wrong [because] that’s my opinion. Math is one straight answer that’s going to solve the problem. That’s why I like it.”
“Academics are very important to me” he told The Sporting News. “My schedule for this semester is pretty tough. I have managerial accounting, a stats class that’s based on probabilities and statistics, an advanced math class. There’s a lot I can do with this degree – accounting, auditing, CPA, math teacher. Anything with statistical analysis, trying to find ratios, compare companies.”
Verner also likes UCLA’s chances for improving on a 4-8 season under Coach Rick Neuheisel, now in his second year back in Westwood. Verner didn’t like those win-loss numbers, but he had a marvelous junior season, being named The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week for his shut-down coverage in the Bruins’ upset win over Tennessee in September.
He is optimistic with reason for 2009.
“I think what makes our team unique is that we feel like we are the hardest working team in the country,” says the Bruin captain. “The increased talent level we have on the team and the young players that came in last year now have a lot more experience in college football. This year I would like to first of all beat USC and go to a January Bowl Game.
“I’ll do anything I can to help us get to that bowl game,” he said. “If I have to make five interceptions and return three of them for touchdowns, that’s what I’ll try to do. If I only have to make one tackle a game, that’s what I’ll do. As long as we win.”
“He is a unique individual and he is as advertised,” Neuheisel said. “He is just a model citizen, a great leader, a great role model for the young kids in the secondary as well as the kids on the team. And I think a legitimate NFL prospect. It’s fun to be around him. He will hopefully flourish as a senior.”
“I’ve had a really blessed career, so far,” says Verner. “As a player UCLA has opened my eyes to a lot of different aspects in the realm of football which in turn made me a better athlete and as a person it has helped me become more of patient and hardworking.”
Verner may not the No. 1 cornerback in the country nor is he on the No. 1 team, but he surely seems to be No. 1 in so many ways.
Contact: Pete Donovan
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