Former UCLA safety transfers to Eastern Washington

Apr 10, 2013 - 1:06 AM Cheney, WA (Sports Network) - Two weeks after being dismissed from the UCLA football program, safety Tevin McDonald has transferred to Eastern Washington, the Big Sky university announced Tuesday.

A two-year starter with the Bruins, he was dismissed on March 27 for violating team policy.

He also was suspended from UCLA's Holiday Bowl game in December. The Los Angeles Times reported at the time that McDonald had failed three drug tests.

McDonald is enrolled in classes at EWU and will begin practicing with the team as early as Thursday. He is the son of six-time NFL All-Pro safety Tim McDonald, who is now the defensive back coach for the New York Jets.

"After consultation with many people and having a long discussion with Tevin, we've determined that he deserves the opportunity to continue his collegiate career," EWU head coach Beau Baldwin said. "We have high expectations of him off the field, in the classroom and on the field."

McDonald, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Fresno, Calif., had 135 tackles in 27 career games at UCLA, with four interceptions and 14 pass breakups.