Scouts impressed by LaBoy, Sopoaga

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After several days of interviews and skill tests, LaBoy and Sopoaga will get a chance to further impress NFL scouts when they compete in today's Senior Bowl.

UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary, who returned to Honolulu yesterday after five days in Mobile, said both players have drawn praise during workouts.

According to Singletary, Houston Texans head coach Dom Capers said LaBoy "just out-ran everybody. Everybody (else) looked like (they were) in slow motion."

LaBoy was the Western Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year for 2003.

Singletary said Sopoaga was "physically and mentally the top (defensive) tackle there. He dominated the centers and guards. He got doubled (by blockers) almost every play (yet) he got so much penetration."

Singletary added: "He went up against guys from LSU and Oklahoma, and he physically took them off their feet and dangled them like a rag doll. ... I got emotional watching it."

Although NFL coaches are used by the Senior Bowl, the league does not own or operate the postseason all-star game. The players no longer receive appearance fees.

Illinois: Quarterback Jon Beutjer was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA yesterday.

Beutjer, who started seven games last season before being sidelined by a back injury, had asked for the extra year before last season started because of the circumstances surrounding his transfer from Iowa in 2001.

Texas-El Paso: UCLA running back Tyler Ebell said he plans to transfer to Texas-El Paso and play for new coach Mike Price.

Ebell, who set a UCLA freshman rushing record with 994 yards two years ago, started eight games last season and ran for 501 yards.