UCLA reinstates CB Ishmael Adams, loses CB Fabian Moreau to injury
A day after it was determined that UCLA’s Ishmael Adams would not face a felony charge stemming from his August arrest, Bruins head coach Jim Mora reinstated the junior cornerback to the team.
Mora confirmed Adams’ reinstatement to reporters Tuesday morning – four days before the ninth-ranked Bruins head to Tucson to face No. 16 Arizona to kick off Pac-12 play.
Adams has been suspended from the team since his Aug. 30 arrest on suspicion of felony robbery. Adams was accused of using force to steal a cell phone from an Uber driver. He could still potentially face a misdemeanor charge, but the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office decided Monday not to pursue a felony charge against Adams.
“We feel, as a program, he’s missed a quarter of his season and he’s shown remorse. He has accepted responsibility, he’s accepted the consequences, he’s apologized profusely to his teammates, the staff and come back with a great attitude,” Mora said of Adams. “We’re going to move forward. If things change, we’ll adjust. But we feel like given the circumstances and the fact that he has served a significant penalty, we’re going to reinstate him. We made that decision. We feel confident about that decision.”
Adams, a redshirt junior, started all 13 games for UCLA last year and was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection. Adams, one of the nation’s top kick returners, also started every game for the Bruins in 2013 and led the team with four interceptions.
He has not played in a game this season for the 3-0 Bruins.
The return of Adams is big for UCLA, especially with the news that fellow starting cornerback Fabian Moreau is out for the season with a foot injury.
Moreau, who will have surgery on Tuesday, started the first three games for the Bruins this year and 28 combined over the past three seasons. Coming into the season, Moreau, a senior, had 109 career tackles.
“He’s a three-year starting corner – a great player. It’s a huge blow,” Mora said. “That’s part of this game unfortunately and you have to take the mindset that the next guy’s got to step up and perform. You’re never going to go through a season unscathed.”
Mora said Moreau would likely pursue a medical redshirt.
For more UCLA news, visit BruinSportsReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
