UCLA Reinstates Adams After Uber Phone Rift

UCLA on Tuesday reinstated defensive back Ishmael Adams, who was suspended after his arrest for allegedly stealing a cellphone from an Uber driver.

“He has missed a quarter of his season, and he has shown remorse,” Bruins coach Jim Mora told reporters. “He has accepted responsibility.”

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced yesterday it would not be filing felony charges and had forwarded the case to the City Attorney’s Office for review against the former star of Oaks Christian High.

“We’re still very early in the review process,” Frank Mateljan of the City Attorney’s Office said yesterday of the decision about whether or not to file misdemeanor charges. “No decision has been made.”

Adams, 21, was arrested by UCLA campus police about 3:35 a.m. Aug. 30, and was booked on suspicion of robbery. He posted bail of $100,000 and was released early on Sept. 1.

Adams started all 26 games for the Bruins in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He returned two intercepted passes for touchdowns in 2014, tying the school record. He also scored a touchdown on a 100-yard kickoff return against Arizona State. Adams led UCLA with four interceptions in 2013.

Mora said he thought Adams was ready to play. The Bruins, ranked ninth in The Associated Press poll, will play at 16th-ranked Arizona Saturday in the Pacific-12 Conference opener for both teams.

Adams is a graduate of Oaks Christian in Westlake Village. Adams’ father, Stefon, played defensive back for the Los Angeles Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins from 1986-90.

City News Service; Ishmael Adams, courtesy UCLA