Cordell Broadus happy to be back with UCLA football

Cordell Broadus 2013 Highlight Tape (OFFICIAL)

Fall Saturdays felt a little empty without football for Cordell Broadus. After walking away from the game due to personal reasons last year, the UCLA receiver watched games on TV. He saw the celebrations on the field, the fans in the stands and the love between the team and its supporters. He missed it. So much so that it literally kept him up at night, he said.

Now hes losing sleep for different reasons.

After meeting with head coach Jim Mora for a couple of hours, Broadus, a former four-star recruit, returned to the team as a walk-on receiver for spring camp. Hes fallen back into the football routine, waking up at 5:30 a.m. for practice, running routes and catching passes from quarterback Josh Rosen.

It was a lot of off-field issues I was going through, said Broadus, who added that it feels great to be back. But most importantly Im out here with my teammates and striving to be great every day.

PHOTOS: UCLA practices ahead of Spring Game

Two family tragedies contributed to Broadus decision to quit football last August before he was set to start his first fall camp with the Bruins. His grandmother passed away and his aunt lost a battle to lupus.

I was in a state where I wasnt mentally there, said Broadus, the son of rapper Snoop Dogg. Trying to keep up with a football schedule, you have to be very mentally strong and be able to keep up with all the obstacles that are thrown at you. And I feel like I wasnt going to give it my all with going through what I was going through.

Broadus is in a deep receiver pool, but the competition for starting roles remains open, receivers coach Eric Yarber said. Broadus, who is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, has had limited reps in team periods, but said he is committed to being patient and staying focused on the field.

VIDEO: Broadus on being back with the team

Broadus has had a good relationship with Rosen since the two were in eighth grade and said the quarterbacks support was unwavering during his departure and eventual return to the team. While he waits for his own dorm room, Broadus is sleeping on Rosens couch.

Hes awesome, hes been killing it, Rosen said of Broadus at the beginning of spring camp. Hes picking up the offense quickly. Hes a big receiver, physical. He reminds me a lot of JP (Jordan Payton), but hes going to evolve, just like all of us.

Part of Broadus evolution back into a full-time football player came on his first big hit during practice. Hes passed that hurdle, but hopes he doesnt have to face too many more like it.

It felt good, I missed it, Broadus said of getting hit again. Im trying to make sure I dont get popped anymore.

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Mora supports Guerrero

On Wednesday, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott told Fox Sports Stewart Mandel that UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero did not vote the way he was supposed to vote, in the decision that banned satellite camps earlier this month.

Guerrero, the Pac-12s representative in the decision, voted to ban satellite camps, thus prohibiting coaches to participate in camps outside of their own practice facilities, despite 11 of 12 Pac-12 schools not supporting the ban, according to Scott.

After the controversy, UCLA head coach Jim Mora expressed his support of Guerrero on Thursday after practice.

Its unfortunate that Dans been put in the position that he is and the things that are being said about him by the commissioner of a major sports league have been said, Mora said. Its inaccurate and its unfair. ... Hes got tremendous integrity. Hes as well respected as any athletic director in the country and unfortunately, our commissioner took an undue shot at him and I dont think any of us have appreciated it. If you look at the articles that have been written and the letter than indicates why Dan made his decision, its very clear that Dan was correct in doing what he did.

In an email obtained by Sports Illustrated on Wednesday, Guerrero explained to his fellow Pac-12 athletic directors that when it appeared as though passage (of the ban) was imminent, he voted in favor of the proposal that resembled one already established by the conference.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160421/cordell-broadus-happy-to-be-back-with-ucla-football