Tyree Thompson’s schedule once included classes, football practice and father-son time that was less than leisurely.
The drudgery didn’t end when the final trash can was emptied. Homework started when Tyree got home around 11 p.m. Then he would rise by 7 a.m. for another day of classes, workouts and tidying.
Thompson often wondered about the payoff. Starting at linebacker for UCLA seemed implausible for the former Mission Hills Alemany High star who figured that, at best, he might play for a Mountain West Conference school.
But there he was Friday afternoon, sweat beading on his face as he spoke with reporters while wearing a white Bruins practice jersey.