UCLA freshman safety Jaleel Wadood gets chances to contribute

Freshman safety Jaleel Wadood has come along at the right time for UCLA.

Injuries have depleted the back end of the secondary, and Wadood played a lot in the Bruins’ last game, against Texas, and expects to see plenty more playing time against Arizona State on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz.

Randall Goforth, a starter, sat out the Texas game and will have surgery on both shoulders, ending his season. Anthony Jefferson also sat out the Texas game after suffering a sprained ankle during warmups. He is expected to play against Arizona State, but nothing is guaranteed.

Wadood, who was playing for Bellflower St. John Bosco High at this time last season, and sophomore Tahaan Goodman could again be UCLA’s starting safeties.

“I have the mindset anywhere I go that I can be a baller for my team,” Wadood said. “I wanted to contribute, and contribute early. That was my plan.”

Wadood was told he would start five minutes before the Texas game.

“I prepare to be ready from the get-go, whether it’s for one play or I’m starting,” he said.

Wadood finished with nine tackles, second on the team.

“He answered the bell when it rang,” said Demetrice Martin, who coaches the UCLA secondary.

There has been no denying Wadood’s skills since the start of training camp. A bundle of energy wrapped up in a 5-foot-11, 175-pound body, he picked up the defense quickly and showed no fear.

“I make sure I know where everybody is at,” Wadood said. “I make sure to know the other team’s offensive formations, what they are going to do. I make sure I know where everybody is going to be on the defensive side of the ball so I can do my job better.”

The check list was ready for Texas.

“It was pretty exciting for me, being a freshman, getting to start in a big game against Texas in AT&T Stadium,” Wadood said. “I had to be cool, calm and collected. I had the older guys coming to me saying, ‘Don’t try to do too much. We got your back.’ That helped me play my game.”

Safety issue

The Bruins need at safety has caused some roster shuffling.

Adarius Pickett, who had moved to running back, and Tyler Foreman, who had moved to linebacker, rejoined the secondary before the Texas game.

This week, freshman linebacker Zach Whitley has been with the defensive backs during pre-practice workouts.

Quarterback talk

Quarterback Brett Hundley, who suffered an injury to his left elbow against Texas, was said to be working normally in practice Monday. (The Times and other media outlets have chosen not to watch practices because they are not allowed to report on everything they might see.)

At Arizona State, quarterback Mike Bercovici has many reasons to be excited about playing in place of the injured Taylor Kelly.

It’s the Woodland Hills Taft High product’s first college start. It is also a chance to show off in front of the coach who brought him to Arizona State: Noel Mazzone, now UCLA’s offensive coordinator.

Mazzone was the Sun Devils’ offensive coordinator in 2010 and 2011.

“It’s only right that it ends this way,” Bercovici said. “What a great family. I have nothing but respect for Coach Mazzone. I love him to death.”

He added: “I’ll be the first one to want to beat him.”