Brian Price

Price could've been mistaken for an offensive player considering the amount of time he spent in the backfield last season. Combining great explosion off the snap with incredible quickness, Price has frustrated offensive linemen and given quarterbacks around the Pac-10 Conference nightmares over the past three seasons. Scouts have taken notice of his ability to play with leverage and create havoc. The main weapon in Price's arsenal is a powerful rip move that is especially effective when used with the outstanding leverage with which he plays. He also has one of the fastest first steps among defensive tackles at the collegiate level and bursts off the ball. His speed off the snap and active hands make it very difficult for offensive lineman to fully engage blocks, clearing Price to work his way into the backfield. Price took his game to a new level in 2009, ranking third nationally in tackles for loss with 23.5, and he cost offenses 96 total yards in losses. His average of 1.81 tackles for loss per game ranked fourth in the NCAA. He also tied for 64th nationally in sacks this season with seven. His impact on the defense was apparent, as UCLA ranked fifth nationally in tackles for loss as a unit with 106 (8.15 tackles for loss per game). Price's season total was also good enough for second all-time on UCLA's single-season record list, behind only current Washington Redskin Robert Thomas (26 tackles for loss in 2001). Getting into the backfield is nothing new for Price. He ranks second in UCLA history with 44.5, just one behind only long-time NFL safety Carnell Lake (45.5 tackles for loss from 1985-88). At Crenshaw High School, Price received a five-star rating from Scout.com, and ranked nationally as the seven-best defensive tackle and 50th-overall prospect by that recruiting service. Additionally, Rivals.com gave him a four-star rating, and listed him fifth nationally among defensive tackles. The three-year letterman added Parade All-American honors to his many accolades, and was selected to play in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American game. Price was an Orange County Register Fab 15 choice. He was named the Los Angeles City Section Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and the Coliseum League Defensive MVP for the second straight year after registering 85 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles as a senior. As a junior, Price received his first Coliseum League Defensive MVP honor as he tallied 111 tackles, including 22 sacks. Heavily recruited, he chose UCLA over offers from Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Southern California and Washington. As a freshman in 2007, Price was forced to miss the first three games of the season due to paperwork issues with the NCAA Clearinghouse. However, he was simply too gifted to keep off the field and would see playing time as soon as he could, the fourth week of the season vs. Washington. He would make his first start weeks later vs. Washington State, although he recorded just one assisted tackle in that contest. The true Impact of Price's ability would be felt two games later vs. Arizona State, when he registered what would be the first and second of many tackles for loss in his career. He stepped into the national spotlight during UCLA's matchup vs. Brigham Young in the Las Vegas Bowl, when he busted through the offensive line for three tackles for loss. His outstanding play earned him second-team Freshman All-American honors from Rivals.com and Scout.com, and honorable mention from The Sporting News, as well as The Sporting News Pac-10 All-Freshman team. He also received recognition from his team, being named the defensive winner of UCLA's John Boncheff, Jr. Memorial Award for Rookie of the Year. After a sensational freshman season, Price had lofty expectations for his sophomore year. He was named to the preseason Watch List for the 2008 Lombardi Award. Price would start all 12 games that season, leading the team in tackles for loss with fourteen to rank seventh in the Pac-10 and 46th nationally. He was second on the team in sacks with 4.5 and tied for 14th in the conference. Price played on offense as a fullback in goal-line situations several times throughout the season, showing off his athleticism and power. He ended the season on a high note vs. Southern California, making two tackles, one for loss, and forcing a fumble which set up a touchdown. After the game, Price was named winner of UCLA's Donn Moomaw Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in the team's annual contest vs. the Trojans. Price finished the season registering 35 tackles (25 solo) with 14 for combined losses of 54 yards, 4.5 sacks, one interception, one fumble forced, one pass breakup, and one blocked kick. He was named a first-team All-Pac-10 selection by the league's coaches, and first-team Sophomore All-American by College Football News. During his junior season, Brian Price was named Pac-10 Conference Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Pac-10. He was a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award (nation's top defender) and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy (nation's best defender on and off the field). He was also an All-American first-team choice. Starting all 13 games, he was a dominating force in the middle for UCLA, racking up 48 tackles (41 solo) with seven sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one QB pressure and one pass breakup, despite facing constant double-team coverage weekly. "The way to look at it is it's a team sport," Price said. "If I'm taking up two guys, somebody else is not getting blocked and they will make the play." But the junior defensive tackle, who says he patterns his style after the late Reggie White, found ways to beat the double teams. However he goes about the job, his play exceeded his expectations. After celebrating its first bowl win since 2005 -- a 30-21 win over Temple in the EagleBank Bowl -- UCLA was dealt a crushing blow when Price told the UCLA ISP Sports Network that he intended to declare for the NFL Draft after a spectacular junior season. The Pac-10's Defensive Player of the Year formally announced his decision after consulting with his father, coach Rick Neuheisel and NFL experts who believe he's worthy of a first-round pick.

strength

Good use of strength in his upper and lower body to push the pocket as a bull rusher. Good lower-body strength to anchor in short-yardage situations. Good strength for the drag-down tackle while still engaged with a blocker.

explosion

Arguably his greatest asset. Has an explosive burst to penetrate through the gap. Good explosive jolt with his hands to knock a blocker backward.

tackling

Good strength for the drag-down tackle while still engaged, but makes many of his stops by lunging at ballcarriers at the line of scrimmage. Has very good short-area quickness, but lacks the balance to break down in space consistently against elusive ballcarriers. Too often beats blocks to get into the backfield only to be eluded by ballcarriers.

intangibles

Grew up in notorious South Central Los Angeles and attended Crenshaw High School. Has dealt with personal tragedy -- two of his brothers were shot and killed. Was forced to sit out the first three games of his freshman season due to paperwork issues with the NCAA.

run defense

Tough to move off the line of scrimmage with his low center of gravity and great strength. Creates a pile in the middle and can make the play without making the tackle. Anchors well against the double team and has the quick feet to split it and make the tackle. Good use of hands to shed. Locates the ball quickly, but is inconsistent with his balance to re-direct in time to make the play. Spends too much time on the ground. Adequate hustle in pursuit laterally, but tires quickly and provides little in terms of chasing downfield.

pass rush

Flashes a quick initial burst to slide through gaps and create havoc in the backfield. Varies his speed and surprises pass blockers with his burst and variety of hand techniques, including a classic rip and swim. Excellent use of leverage and strength for the bull rush. Can push the pass blocker deep into the pocket and disengage to make the play. Only adequate balance and agility to change direction. Has to do a better job protecting his knees against cut blocks. Spends too much time on the ground. Possesses very good short-area quickness, but taps out quickly and can become a lumbering bear if he has to chase the quarterback. Short arms and will struggle to disengage once the tackle locks him out. Marginal height and effort to get his hands up in the passing lanes, knocking down only one pass a year.

No major injuries reported.

Campus: 5.19 in the 40-yard dash

1.81 10-yard dash

2.98 20-yard dash

28.5-inch vertical jump

8'0" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 34 times

32 1/4-inch arm length

9 1/2-inch hands.

Attended Crenshaw High School (South Central Los Angeles, Cal.), playing football for head coach Robert Garrett

Earned five stars from scout.com

Ranked fifth nationally among defensive tackles by rivals.com

Rated the 50th-best player in the nation by Scout.com

Earned four stars from Rivals.com

Parade All-American and selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American game

Member of Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team

Orange County Register Fab 15

Named third-team All-State by Cal-Hi Sports

Named Los Angeles City Section Defensive Player of the Year in 2006

Coliseum League Defensive MVP as a senior, recording 85 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles while battling double and triple teams in 2006

Team captain

As a junior, he made 111 tackles, including 22 sacks and was the Coliseum League Defensive MVP

Also lettered in three times in baseball and once in track.

History major and a member of the UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll in the fall of 2007

Lists former NFL star Reggie White as the player he admires and patterns his style of play after

Son of Jeanetta and Frank Price

Has six sisters-Bridget, Asia, Brittnei, Zamariae, and Jada

Born Brian Larisso Price on 4/10/89

Resides in South Central Los Angeles, California.